The Everest has taken away the shine from the Group l Manikato Stakes (1200m) at the Valley on Friday night, but still, a solid field has been assembled for the first feature across the two meetings.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2021 Manikato Stakes.
Market 💰: View the Odds for the Manikato Stakes
2021 Manikato Stakes Speed Map
There are a stack of horses who like to be handy. As to who will lead, that is the big unknown. Savatoxl and Streets Of Avalon look the 1-2 early, with Savatoxl drawing wide, I think they have to press forward, which gives Street Of Avalon the cart across. Crystal Bound will be positive from a good draw, likewise Lombardo and Jonker.
2021 Manikato Stakes Runner Preview
1. Streets Of Avalon: He’s a beauty. Good record at the track and comes here with fresh legs after a game effort in the Feehan. He can slide forward and sit outside Savatoxl. He wants a dry deck but will run an honest race.
2. Jonker: Safe to say it’s been a messy prep for this Queenslander. Somewhat rank down the straight at Flemington before having little luck in the Premiere behind Masked Crusader, which is very strong Everest form, so with that in mind, if he can sit near the speed and bring his best, he’s in with a shout.
3. Despatch: He’s a solid horse when right, but hasn’t been seen for a tick over 12 months, so it would be a remarkable training effort by the McEvoy camp to get him ready to win a Group l. His best can see him win, but I’d prefer to watch.
4. Savatoxl: Loved the way he dug in to win fresh at Caulfield, chasing down and getting the job done over a speedy filly, Dosh. He’s been set for the race and the stable know a thing or two about winning the race. He’ll land on speed and prove hard to get past.
5. Express Pass: He’s talented…talented enough to win? The gate makes it tough. He’ll likely drag back to near last and rely on plenty of luck. If he gets a drag into the race, he’s capable of being dangerous.
6. Lombardo: What a revelation he has been since the Blinkers have been applied. Ran fast overall time in winning at Caulfield. What I will say is that there were signs that perhaps he’s looking for the paddock. But, the stable is absolutely flying and he maps super.
7. Away Game: She was really plain in the Gilgai and drawn wide, the task looks too tough for her, so happy to look elsewhere.
8. Bella Nipotina: She’s turned her career around since being sent to the Maher/Eustace. Racing really well at the moment and from gate one, I think she lands box seat. If the breaks go her way, she can take this out.
9: Swats That: Wide no cover in the Moir but was still plain I thought. Drawn wide again, will be doing work and I don’t think she’s a Group l horse. Then again, this field isn’t a Group l field.
10: La Mexicana: Led and looked the winner of the Northwood Plume but was nabbed near the peg. Drawn wide, she will need plenty of luck to figure in the finish. I don’t think she’s up to this level.
11. Ingratiating: Talented three year old but gee he was ordinary in the Danehill. At his absolute best, he can win this. But he’s becoming hard to trust.
12. Sneaky Five: How good is she? 3/3 to start her career and was in the right spot when winning fresh at Caulfield. She’s a winner at the track, she will sit off the good speed…a win wouldn’t entirely shock.
13: Crystal Bound: Has done little wrong in her career to date. Showed good ticker to win fresh at Flemington. Then went to Caulfield and stuck on well on speed behind Sneaky Five. Stable has said that fitness and her coat hasn’t been right. Third up, hard fit now, maps super, tumbles in weight, proven at the track…gee I think she sets up beautifully.
2021 Manikato Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
This looks a really tricky race, so I’m going to have $25 Each Way on two horses, Lombardo and Crystal Bound, both of which look to map super, proven at the track and both in good form.
Group l Strategy Outlay: $1880
Group l Strategy Return: $1486.5