The action of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival continues at Moonee Valley this evening with a top eight-race program scheduled for Manikato Stakes Night 2013– betting tips and selections for which can be found right here.

Of course the big one on the card tonight is the $1 million Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) for the sprinters featuring the likes of last start Moir Stakes winner Samaready, the always honest Buffering in his 18^th Group 1 appearance and Hong Kong’s five-time Group 1 champ Lucky Nine.

The Manikato doesn’t jump until the last however at 10:00pm (AEST) meaning there’s plenty of time to win yourself some money in the earlier races.

There’s only one other Group race on the program with the fillies facing off in Race 3 (7:15pm) in the $220,000 Group 2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic (1600m).

Leading the markets there is the David Hayes-trained Thousand Guineas third placegetter Gregers ($2) who looks very hard to beat in a field of just seven.

The other highlights on the Manikato Stakes Night line-up is then the $120,000 Listed Crockett Stakes (1200m) where the season’s sprinting fillies will square off including Montsegur and Bulbula.

To help you gear up for Cox Plate Day on Saturday with a win or two tonight, below are our Manikato Stakes Night tips to lock in at the best prices online at Ladbrokes.com.au.

Ladbrokes.com.au is also the bookie to go to for all the action tomorrow as they’re running an Aussie-exclusive Double The Cox Plate Odds promo!

Race 1 (6:15pm) – $80,000 LF Signs Handicap (3000m)

#7 North Lodge ($3.60) from #5 Jumpin Jack Cash ($4.60) and #6 Tanah Lot ($5)

John Blacker’s veteran eight-year-old North Lodge comes off a last start win over this track and distance and for us is the one to beat again here as they have half a kilo less. Jumpin Jack Cash was sixth that run by has three previous wins over the 3000m at the Valley so can improve. Tanah Lot’s last run was eye catching fifth (1.5 lengths off the winner) at Caulfield over 2400m, should handle the distance.

Race 2 (6:45pm) – $100,000 Triforce Subzero Challenge Heat 2 (1500m)

#1 Black Cash ($2.40) from #5 Dance For Cash ($6) and Auld Burns ($4.50)

Black Cash has won back-to-back in Queensland this time in and travels interstate for the first time for the season. Has to carry the 60kg topweight but deserves favouritism in the markets being in such good form. Dance For Cash was fourth at Caulfield last start in a good run while Auld Burns should be fitter after a first-up sixth also at Caulfield, gets blinkers on for this.

Race 3 (7:15pm) – $220,000 Group 2 Jeep Don’t Hold Back Fillies Classic (1600m)

#1 Gregers ($2) from #2 Gypsy Diamond ($12) and #6 Scratchy Bottom ($4.40)

David Hayes-trained Gregers one to beat after winning the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude two back before her third to Guelph in the Group 1 over the Caulfield mile last start. Down in class here and will be hard to hold out. Gypsy Diamond adds value and we’re sticking with the Thousand Guineas form, she ran sixth. Scratchy Bottom has just their second career start after an eye catching win on debut at Moonee Valley earlier in the month over 1550m.

Race 4 (7:45pm) – $120,000 Listed Chandler Macleod Crockett Stakes (1200m)

#1 Montsegur ($6) from #2 Bulbula ($7) and #5 Miss Steele ($10)

Peter Snowden’s New Approach filly Montegur has form around the best including her Silver Shadow third to Thump too back and last start fourth to Gregers in the Thousand Guineas Prelude. Didn’t go to the Group 1 over the mile, back in distance here will suit should fly. Bulbula always consistent and her third to Missy Longstocking at Caulfield earlier in the month was brave. Miss Steele first-up here in a good gate (two) and won at the Valley last season.

Race 5 (8:150pm) – $100,000 Essendon Mazda 55 Second Challenge Heat 3 (955m)

#7 Lankan Rupee ($2.40) from #8 Rifleman ($5.50) and King Cotton ($10)

Sticking with the favourite here after their first-up win over the track and distance where they showed lots of promise for a decent spring campaign. Rifleman has gun draw (two) and was second when resuming last start, fitter for that run. King Cotton will need to be at their best with the big weight (62kg) but from barrier three after a 955m third here first-up should be firing.

Race 6 (8:45pm) – $100,000 City Jeep Handicap (2040m)

#4 Queenstown ($3.50) from #2 Alzora ($17) and Keep De Rose ($4.20)

Money coming for Queenstown, even with wide draw, but she’s got class and distance to overcome so going to follow that money trail. Gai Waterhouse-trained Stratum mare has run top two last two runs most recently in the Angst Stakes over the Randwick mile on October 12. Alzora also goes up in distance for this after her fifth over the 1600m behind Zonza (carrying more eight). Keep De Rose in-form after back-to-back wins first at Caulfield over 1800m then over 2100m at Cranbourne so distance a non-issue for her.

Race 7 (9:15pm) – $100,000 The Drain Man Country Cup (1600m)

#11 Harveys True Heart ($7) from #2 Lord Durante ($4.40) and #4 Midnight Glory ($11)

Last start winner Harveys True Heart comes to the big city for the first time this prep but has form over the distance and is ready for the challenge. Third last time at the track and distance back in April. Lord Durante is better than Cranbourne Cup 10^th suggests. They will enjoy step back in distance, runner-up here in September over the Moonee Valley mile. Midnight Glory is market mover and is set to strike.

Race 8 (10:00m) – $1,000,000 Group 1 Sportingbet Manikato Stakes (1200m)

#10 Samaready ($2.50) #1 Lucky Nine ($8.50]) and #7 Rebel Dane ($11])

Read our detailed 2013 Manikato Stakes Tip post by following the link.

*All odds quoted are Fixed Win from Ladbrokes.com.au and times are AEST – subject to change