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Group 1 Manikato Stakes Preview 2024

3 minute read

Manikato night at The Valley which could see boom three-year-old Growing Empire announce himself.

GROWING EMPIRE winning the Xtreme Freight Valley Pearl at Moonee Valley in Australia.
GROWING EMPIRE winning the Xtreme Freight Valley Pearl at Moonee Valley in Australia. Picture: Racing Photos

What looked like a bit of a Moir 2.0 has potentially added a very interesting dimension with Growing Empire seemingly likely to run in Friday's Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m).

I'm not alone in being a huge fan of him.

His first-up win was arrogant, running the best McKenzie Stakes winning rating since Bel Esprit in 2002, and his win in the Poseidon Stakes was very good when I think he had a bit against him.

He's run to 116 with Timeform at both of those runs but has certainly promised to be better than that, which he'll have to be to be winning here.

I Wish I Win can run well into the 120s at his best, Hayasugi was outstanding in the Moir, Veight is rated 121 off his George Ryder win over 1500m, Estriella could be a sharp improver, so there's plenty of competition here.

I Wish I Win ran to 113+ in the Moir fresh, 1000m around The Valley definitely not his go but he ran as well as could be expected given the scenario. Out to 1200m now is ideal but he's probably going to be last in running again.

Hayasugi was equally as good in the Moir, but where she gets to from barrier two looks a bit tricky as well. She might be able to hold a spot closer to the speed here because she's never drawn low in her life and didn't jump badly in the Moir.

I thought there could be a couple of improvers out of the Moir. Estriella was well supported there and a bit plain. I'd like to see her really press on here, even look to cross Recommendation, and try to get them chasing from the 600m mark.

1200m may be a query for her but I'm still convinced she's a Group 1 horse. If we're getting double figures for her I'd be happy to back her.

The other is Coleman who I think can kick up and hold the leader's back from barrier one. He too was just fair in the Moir but his Golden Slipper rating, 120, puts him firmly in the ballpark. He's another that I think will drift on the night and we should get closer to 20-1.

As much as I love Growing Empire, he looks tight enough in early betting, as the does the market on a whole.

I'd mark I Wish I Win favourite and wouldn't talk anyone out of backing him. I'm much longer on Veight, and I think there's potential to back Estriella and Coleman at bigger odds on the night if they drift, similar story Growing Empire if we get $6+.


Racing and Sports

Moonee Valley

Friday, 27th September 2024

7
21:15
(local)

Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (G1)

Age: 3yo and up Type: OPEN
AUD $2,015,000
1200m TURF GOOD
7
21:15
(local)
AUD $2,015,000
1200m GOOD

Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (G1)

Age: 3yo and up Type: OPEN


FP Silk Horse, Age & Sex
Sire & Dam
Jockey
Trainer
SP
WT
1st 4. SOUTHPORT TYCOON (AUS) 4yo H
WRITTEN TYCOON (AUS) - READY TO RULE (USA)
MARK ZAHRA
CIARON MAHER
$21
58.5kg
Bennett Racing Pty Ltd (Mgr: N P Bennett), R Menchise, Gaire Pty Ltd, Stallion Match, M V Broadhead, M Ellis, J G Falcke, Mrs D Broadhead, Walnickiglider, B J Molloy, B Woonton, Bennett Ready to Rule, B J Britten, A D Stanley, J M Simmons, Australian Bloodstock, Whitegate Pastoral & Widden Stud P/L

Sales Information

2nd 12. GROWING EMPIRE (AUS) 3yo C
ZOUSTAR (AUS) - MILES OF KRISHAN (AUS)
CRAIG WILLIAMS
CIARON MAHER
$3.8
52kg
Yu Long Investments (Mgr: Y Zhang)

Sales Information

3rd 1. I WISH I WIN (NZ) 6yo G
SAVABEEL (AUS) - MAKE A WISH (NZ)
LUKE NOLEN
PETER G MOODY & KATHERINE COLEMAN
$5
58.5kg
M J Chittick & P G Moody

Sales Information

4th 9. KIMOCHI (AUS) 4yo M
BRAVE SMASH (JPN) - SUMMER FUN (AUS)
JASON COLLETT
GARY PORTELLI
$26
56.5kg

Sales Information

5th 10. CLIMBING STAR (NZ) 5yo M
ZOUSTAR (AUS) - BRYONY (AUS)
DANIEL STACKHOUSE
PHILLIP STOKES
$26
56.5kg

Sales Information

6th 11. COLEMAN (AUS) 3yo C
PIERATA (AUS) - SBOOG (AUS)
KERRIN MCEVOY
MATT LAURIE
$18
52kg

Sales Information

7th 8. ESTRIELLA (AUS) 4yo M
I AM INVINCIBLE (AUS) - MADRIGALS (AUS)
BLAKE SHINN
CIARON MAHER
$7.5
56.5kg

Sales Information

8th 3. RECOMMENDATION (AUS) 5yo G
SHALAA (IRE) - ADVISO (USA)
MICHAEL DEE
CIARON MAHER
$10
58.5kg

Sales Information

9th 13. HAYASUGI (AUS) 3yo F
ROYAL MEETING (IRE) - CHINA ROAD (AUS)
JAMIE KAH
CLINTON MCDONALD
$6.5
50kg

Sales Information

10th 5. JOHNNY ROCKER (AUS) 5yo H
JUKEBOX (AUS) - MARGENE (AUS)
BEN MELHAM
NICK RYAN
$31
58.5kg
11th 2. VEIGHT (AUS) 4yo H
GRUNT (NZ) - NEENA ROCK (AUS)
DAMIAN LANE
T & C MCEVOY
$11
58.5kg

Sales Information

12th 6. CABALLUS (AUS) 4yo H
I AM INVINCIBLE (AUS) - CALMING INFLUENCE (AUS)
JOSH PARR
BJORN BAKER
$61
58.5kg

Sales Information

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