Manikato Stakes Tips & Betting Advice
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One of Moonee Valley’s favourite sprints, the Group 1 Manikato Stakes is an important short course race.
The Manikato Stakes (1200m) is held at the Moonee Valley racecourse in Victoria and boasts a total prize pool of $2,000,000.
It is a recognisable race on the Australian calendar and Bets.com.au bring you the best bets and predictions for the big sprint.
Manikato Stakes Information
- DateSun. 27 Sep., 2026
- Race Time05:00
- RacecourseCaulfield
- Race Distance1200 metres
- ConditionsWeight-for-age
- StatusGroup 1
- Prize Money$2,000,000
Manikato Stakes Tips & Betting Advice
Check back here closer to the race start date as our team of experts provide their best bets and advice for the 2026 Manikato Stakes.
Manikato Stakes Betting Tips
Our experts will provide their free Manikato Stakes tips and betting preview in the lead up to the Spring Carnival Group 1.
Our preview and Manikato Stakes best bets will be available in advance of the race as our tipsters pick out the best value from the futures markets and the final field. Check out our Manikato Stakes tips and read our verdict on the race.
Manikato Stakes Bookmakers & Promotions
Australian betting sites have special offers for customers - both new and existing - on the Manikato Stakes including enhanced odds specials to use when betting on Moonee Valley races. If you are thinking of joining bookmakers for the Manikato Stakes, check out our top five below.
Manikato Stakes 2026 - Field & Barrier Draw
| No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Giga Kick | Clayton Douglas | Mark Zahra | 4 | 58.5kg |
| 2 | Pericles | Bjorn Baker | Craig Williams | 10 | 58.5kg |
| 3 | Jimmysstar (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | Ethan Brown | 8 | 58.5kg |
| 4 | Rothfire | Robert Heathcote | Brad Rawiller | 6 | 58.5kg |
| 5 | Beiwacht | Chris Waller | Nash Rawiller | 3 | 58.5kg |
| 6 | Gallant Son | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Luke Nolen | 13 | 58.5kg |
| 7 | Beadman | Peter Snowden | Tim Clark | 12 | 58.5kg |
| 8 | Napoleonic | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Zac Lloyd | 7 | 58.5kg |
| 9 | Oliveanotherday | Tom Dabernig | Harry Coffey | 5 | 58.5kg |
| 10 | Charm Stone | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Damian Lane | 11 | 56.5kg |
| 11 | My Gladiola | John McArdle | Jamie Mott | 9 | 56.5kg |
| 12 | Geegees Mistruth | Mark Walker | Blake Shinn | 1 | 56.5kg |
| 13 | Extragalactic | Trent Edmonds | James McDonald | 2 | 56.5kg |
Manikato Stakes Form Guide
The Manikato Stakes form guide has been difficult to assess in recent times.
Recent Manikato winners have recorded victories at big prices including Hey Doc (2017) at $21 and Rebel Dane at $61 the year prior to that.
Before 2017, three-straight favourites took out the race, which makes this event an extremely hard one to negotiate.
Hey Doc went on from his 2017 triumph to once again show up in 2020, winning the race for the second time.
Our team of experts will deliver your Manikato Stakes form guide and steer you towards the likely winners of the sprint.
Manikato Stakes Live Stream
Manikato Stakes History
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.
Manikato Stakes Past Winners
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Jimmysstar |
| 2025 | Charm Stone |
| 2024 | Southport Tycoon |
| 2023 | Imperatriz |
| 2022 | |
| 2021 | Jonker |
| 2020 | Hey Doc |
| 2019 | Loving Gaby |
| 2018 | Brave Smash |
| 2017 | Hey Doc |
| 2016 | Rebel Dane |
| 2015 | Chautauqua |
| 2014 | |
| 2013 | Buffering |
| 2012 | Sea Siren |
| 2011 | Sepoy |
| 2010 | Hay List |
| 2009 | Danleigh |
| 2008 | Typhoon Lad |
| 2007 | Gold Edition |
| 2006 | Miss Andretti |
| 2005 | Spark Of Life |
| 2004 | Spark Of Life |
| 2003 | Spinning Hill |
| 2002 | Spinning Hill |
| 2001 | Piavonic |
| 2000 | Sunline |
Manikato Stakes 2026 - Result & Replay
1st - Jimmysstar.
2nd - Extragalactic.
3rd - Charm Stone.
Manikato Stakes Social News
To get all the Manikato Stakes social news your best bet is the visit the Moonee Valley social media channels.
Moonee Valley's Twitter account can be found at @TheValley while their Facebook page is at Moonee Valley Race Club.
Manikato Stakes FAQ
- How to bet on the Manikato Stakes?
To place a bet on the Manikato Stakes you'll an account with an online bookmaker.
Bookies provide betting markets on the Manikato well in advance of the race date, which includes best tote and fixed odds markets in the week leading up. - Who to bet on in the Manikato Stakes?
The Manikato Stakes is one of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival's top sprints which means the best short-coursers in the country will be competing for this event.
Check back here in the lead in to this Group One for our betting strategy and tips for the Manikato. - Best way to bet on the Manikato Stakes?
Is there a better way to punt than from the comfort of your own home?
You can bet on your couch with an online bookmaker, which means you've got a huge advantage on those who have to head down to their pub or club. - How to live stream the Manikato Stakes?
Punters wanting to live stream the Manikato Stakes get everything they need from our live streaming information hub.
- Where is the Manikato Stakes?
The Manikato Stakes runs every year at Moonee Valley, which is located in Melbourne, Australia.
- Who won the 2026 Manikato Stakes?
Jimmysstar won the 2026 Manikato Stakes.
- What is the prize money of the Manikato Stakes?
The Manikato Stakes prize pool totals $2 million.
