Back Yourself!
Sign-up and start betting with Ladbrokes in 2 minutes!
Back A Winner with Neds!
Sign-up and start betting with Neds in 2 minutes!
Daily Racing Specials!
Sign-up and bet with Australia's best new bookmaker!
#1 Ranked New Bookie
Sign-up and bet with Australia's #1 ranked new bookmaker!
Best Of The Best Odds!
Bet With Palmerbet and get Paid Top Fluc or Top Tote!
Massive Odds on All Races!
Sign-up and start betting with PlayUp in 2 minutes!
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Search
 
Image: Quentin Lang
Sunlight had a work-out at Moonee Valley ahead of the Manikato Stakes

Tony McEvoy is giving star filly Sunlight every opportunity to get comfortable around the tricky Moonee Valley racetrack ahead of her bid to upstage the older horses in the Group One Manikato Stakes.

McEvoy took the three-year-old to the Valley on Saturday morning for a work-out under Luke Currie and he will take the sprinter back there on Tuesday morning for a more serious gallop.

Sunlight’s last-start victory at Caulfield clinched the well-performed filly a crack at Friday night’s weight-for-age Manikato Stakes.

This year’s Magic Millions winner and multiple stakes winner, Sunlight will be chasing her first Group One win having finished third in her only previous attempt at the elite level in the Golden Slipper in March.

“She just cruised around on Saturday morning just to have a nice leisurely look but Luke said she felt great,” McEvoy said.

“She was interested and happy and I really enjoyed watching her go around.

“She’s going back there on Tuesday morning to have a gallop but I wanted her to look at it before then.

“It was lovely to have that opportunity and Tuesday’s gallop will top her preparation off for the Manikato.”

Tim Clark, who won the Silver Slipper on Sunlight in his only ride on the filly during the Sydney autumn carnival, takes the ride on Friday night because Sunlight’s 51kg is below Currie’s weight range.

McEvoy said there were a few reasons for targeting the Manikato.

“She’s classy. She’s got speed. Moonee Valley suits speed. And she’s got the added bonus of 51 kilos,” the trainer said.

“She’ll be in it for a long way.”

Sunlight was not the only Manikato Stakes contender to gallop at the Valley on Saturday, with favourite Kementari getting his first look at the course with Glyn Schofield aboard.

Kementari has been freshened for the Manikato (1200m) since finishing fourth in the Group One Makybe Diva Stakes over 1600m last month.

Houtzen was another of the Manikato hopefuls to work.

The Manikato Stakes is the feature race on the Friday night program before the Cox Plate meeting on Saturday.

 
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Featured News

FREE BETS – Claim $1000’s in Bonus Bets at the TOP Betting Sites

We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...

Golden Slipper Likely Field – 2024

The biggest two-year-old race of the year will jump this Saturday in arguably one of the best fields in recent...

Former trainer handed a five-year ban for pulling stewards pants down

Former trainer Todd Balfour has been handed a five-year disqualification by Racing SA stewards after a misconduct incident at the...

Melbourne Cup champion Verry Elleegant passes away

Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her...

Watch 📺 Jockey banned from all racing premises over ride

Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...

Group 1 winner returns positive swab

Racing Victoria stewards are investigating a positive swab from Group 1-winning mare Prowess, the racehorse trained by Roger James and...

Alligator Blood injured, career in doubt

Cult galloper Alligator Blood may have run his last race, with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott confirming the star galloper had...

Nikita Beriman returns to the saddle

July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 … that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman...

Australia's Best Betting Sites

New Betting Sites Australia + Top List Bookmaker Apps $$$

Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...

Top 10 – Funniest Race Horse Names

Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...

Best Horse Betting Sites in Australia

Best Horse Racing Betting Apps and Betting Sites – March 2024

We take a look at the best online betting apps to bet on horse racing in Australia for the month...

Golden Slipper

The Golden Slipper is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse races in Australia. Taking place each April at...

Australian Bookmaker Reviews – Online Bookie Ratings $$

Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...

 
 
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au