Manikato Stakes 2026 Betting Odds - Joliestar Holds Early Market Sway
The $2 million Group 1 Manikato Stakes headlines Caulfield’s spring calendar on September 27, 2026, following its relocation from Moonee Valley due to major redevelopment. Joliestar leads the early betting with odds of $4.40 after her strong performances, while Jigsaw, Giga Kick, and Angel Capital are close behind. The race, traditionally a highlight in Australian sprinting, boasts a prestigious honour roll and has undergone several scheduling and location shifts in recent years. Expect fierce competition as top sprinters chase glory in this historic 1200m showdown.
- The 2026 Manikato Stakes moves to Caulfield due to Moonee Valley redevelopment
- Joliestar leads early betting at $4.40, with Jigsaw, Giga Kick, and Angel Capital close
- Historic Group 1 sprint continues to attract Australia’s top sprinters
Joliestar leads the market for the 2026 Manikato Stakes. (Getty)
A $2 million Group 1 sprint takes centre stage at Caulfield on Sunday, September 27, when the Manikato Stakes is contested over 1200m under weight-for-age conditions.
The race has been transferred from its traditional Moonee Valley home for 2026 due to The Valley redevelopment and will headline a feature meeting staged the day after the AFL Grand Final.
Joliestar heads early betting at $4.40 with BetRight after continuing to enhance her reputation as one of Australia’s premier sprinters during the first half of the year.
The Chris Waller-trained mare claimed her fifth Group 1 when successful in the T J Smith Stakes at Randwick before travelling to Royal Ascot, where she produced another elite performance to finish third in a three-way photo in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes over 1200m.
Jigsaw, Giga Kick and Angel Capital share the second line of betting at $6.
Jigsaw enjoyed an outstanding campaign last season, stringing together seven consecutive victories including Group 1 wins in the Railway Stakes and William Reid Stakes before taking out The Quokka in Perth.
Giga Kick remains firmly among Australia’s established sprint stars, with the former The Everest winner having added the Champions Sprint at Flemington to his Group 1 record last spring before finishing runner-up to Joliestar in the T J Smith Stakes during the autumn.
Angel Capital remains in search of a maiden Group 1 victory but again showed his quality when resuming in the Missile Stakes at Randwick on August 8, overcoming a slow start and trouble in running to finish third behind Ninja.
Jimmysstar is next at $8 after another consistent campaign at the highest level, highlighted by a narrow runner-up finish to Headley Grange in the Group 1 Kingsford-Smith Cup at Eagle Farm in May.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding is a three-time Group 1 winner and has proven particularly effective around the 1200m to 1400m range, giving him strong credentials for another major sprint campaign.
Manikato Stakes 2026 Betting Odds
| Runner | Win Odds |
|---|---|
| Joliestar | $4.40 |
| Jigsaw | $6.00 |
| Giga Kick | $6.00 |
| Angel Capital | $6.00 |
| Jimmysstar | $8.00 |
| Ninja | $11.00 |
| Oliveanotherday | $11.00 |
| Napoleonic | $11.00 |
| Lady Shenandoah | $11.00 |
| Ole Dancer | $15.00 |
| Extragalactic | $15.00 |
| Spicy Martini | $15.00 |
| She's Got Pizzazz | $15.00 |
| Point Barrow | $15.00 |
| Gallant Son | $15.00 |
| Skybird | $15.00 |
| Rey Magnerio | $15.00 |
| Hedged | $15.00 |
| Geegees Mistruth | $15.00 |
| Caballus | $15.00 |
| Charm Stone | $15.00 |
| Others | $26.00+ |
Odds provided by BetRight & correct on 10/08/2026.
Manikato Stakes Winners
First contested in 1968 as the Freeway Stakes, the Manikato Stakes has developed into one of Melbourne’s premier sprint races.
The race was renamed in 1984 in honour of champion sprinter Manikato, a two-time winner of the event and one of the greatest short-course performers in Australian racing history.
After being staged on Cox Plate Eve from 2012 to 2022, the Manikato Stakes spent two years on Cox Plate Day before moving to the AFL Grand Final public holiday Friday in 2024, taking over the traditional timeslot previously occupied by the Moir Stakes.
Run over 1200m under weight-for-age conditions, the Group 1 boasts an outstanding honour roll featuring some of Australia’s most popular sprinters, including Vain, Sunline, Miss Andretti, Hay List, Buffering and Chautauqua.
The most recent winners are Imperatriz in 2023, Southport Tycoon in 2024 and Charm Stone, who claimed the 2025 edition.
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