Manikato Stakes 2025 - Barrier Draw & Final Field

Bets.com.au Staff

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Last updated: Tue 23 Sep 2025 08:52

Bets.com.au Staff 23 Sep 2025

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2025 Manikato Stakes runs at Moonee Valley on September 26, 1200m Group 1 sprint
Star runners: Lady Shenandoah, Baraqiel, Alabama Lass, Magic Time, Skybird
Race history features legends & recent stars; now headline event on AFL Grand Final holiday

Baraqiel has drawn barrier seven in the 2025 Manikato Stakes. (Getty)

Lady Shenandoah (barrier 10) was luckless on return when finishing runner-up in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes, and while she has yet to campaign in Melbourne, the step up to 1200m shapes ideally for her second-up tilt at the Manikato Stakes.

Manikato Stakes 2025 - Barriers & Final Field
Manikato Stakes Winners

The Chris Waller-trained mare was spelled following a pair of placings early in her career but furnished into a top-liner last season, where she went unbeaten in five starts as a three-year-old, including three at Group 1 level.

Baraqiel (barrier 7) has built a formidable record, winning eight of his 12 starts and placing in three others. While the Flemington straight has brought about his few defeats, he thrives when turning, with eight wins from nine attempts around a bend.

He is unbeaten in four starts at Moonee Valley, including two strong victories to kick off this campaign.

Alabama Lass (barrier 5) made her Australian return when finishing second to Baraqiel in the Moir Stakes on September 6. The consistent New Zealander has never missed the quinella in 10 outings, boasting six wins and four runner-up finishes.

Magic Time (barrier 1) also resumed in style, taking out the Group 3 Cockram Stakes. Already a dual Group 1 winner, she adds proven class to this year’s Manikato Stakes line-up.

Skybird (barrier 6) was another to resume in the Moir Stakes, where she was given little chance in running. The talented mare claimed the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning earlier this year in her only other appearance of 2025, underlining her ability to produce at the highest level when conditions allow.

The 2025 Manikato Stakes will be contested at Moonee Valley on Friday, September 26, with the 1200m Group 1 sprint again taking its place as the headline event on the AFL Grand Final public holiday card.

Manikato Stakes 2025 - Barriers & Final Field

No.	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Barrier	Weight
1	Rothfire	Robert Heathcote	Nash Rawiller	8	58.5kg
2	Baraqiel	Leon & Troy Corstens & Will Larkin	Ben Allen	7	58.5kg
3	Payline	Chris & Corey Munce	Justin Huxtable	9	58.5kg
4	Sir Sway	Sue & Jason Jaensch	Lachlan Neindorf	3	58.5kg
5	Magic Time	Grahame Begg	Michael Dee	1	56.5kg
6	Lady Shenandoah	Chris Waller	James McDonald	10	56.5kg
7	Charm Stone	Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)	Blake Shinn	2	56.5kg
8	Skybird	Mitchell Freedman	John Allen	6	56.5kg
9	Alabama Lass	Ken & Bev Kelso	Craig Williams	5	56.5kg
10	Ameena	Anthony & Sam Freedman	Mark Zahra	4	56.5kg

Manikato Stakes Winners

The Manikato Stakes was first staged in 1968 under the name Freeway Stakes and has since developed into one of Melbourne’s headline sprint contests.

In 1984 it was renamed to honour champion sprinter Manikato, who captured the race twice and left a lasting legacy at Moonee Valley. After a decade as a feature on Cox Plate eve, the race moved to Cox Plate day in 2022 before another scheduling change was made.

Since 2024, the Group 1 has been run on the AFL Grand Final public holiday Friday, taking over the former Moir Stakes slot and gaining a coveted standalone billing.

Some of the nation’s best-loved short-course stars have prevailed in the 1200m feature, among them Chautauqua, Buffering, Hay List, Miss Andretti, Sunline and Vain, while recent editions have been taken out by Bella Nipotina (2022), Imperatriz (2023) and Southport Tycoon (2024).