Friday night’s Group 1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley is shaping up to be a thrilling contest, with a likely field that could include some of Australia’s top sprinters.
The $2 million, 1200m race has been moved away from Cox Plate day, and the shift looks set to deliver a quality lineup.
Leading the possible contenders is Everest favourite I Wish I Win, trained by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.
Other likely runners include sprint star Recommendation, along with Group 1 winners Veight and Southport Tycoon.
Hayasugi, the Blue Diamond Stakes winner, is also expected after a strong second in the Moir Stakes.
First-up runner Climbing Star and the ultra-consistent Kimochi are likely to join the field, with jockey Jason Collett booked for the ride.
Connections of exciting three-year-old Growing Empire are weighing up whether to start here or in the Danehill Stakes.
Manikato Stakes Likely Field
| Horse | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|
| I WISH I WIN | P Moody & K Coleman | L Nolen |
| JOHNNY ROCKER | N Ryan | |
| CABALLUS | B Baker | |
| RECOMMENDATION | C Maher | M Dee |
| SOUTHPORT TYCOON | C Maher | M Zahra |
| VEIGHT | T & C McEvoy | D Lane |
| CHAIN OF LIGHTNING | P Moody & K Coleman | |
| CLIMBING STAR | P Stokes | |
| ESTRIELLA | C Maher | B Shinn |
| KIMOCHI | G Portelli | J Collett |
| COLEMAN | M Laurie | K McEvoy |
| GROWING EMPIRE | C Maher | |
| HAYASUGI | C McDonald | J Kah |
