Caulfield’s Stuart Webb has confirmed the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes 2017 on Cox Plate Eve is now on the cards for his smart mare Legless Veuve who returned to racing with a second in the Group 3 How Now Stakes (1200m).

Legless Veuve is a late entry for the 2017 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes under the lights at Moonee Valley on Friday October 27. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

The daughter of Pins made her four-year-old debut on September 23 at her home track and finished just a neck off the winner Savanna Amour in the How Now Stakes.

That was her first run since the eighth to Secret Agenda at Morphettville on May 6 in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m).

The first-up run impressed Webb enough to convince connections to pay the late entry for Legless Veuve to contest Group 1 $1 million Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on October 27.

“It was outstanding,” Webb told Racing Victoria of the mare’s How Now Stakes run.

“She was still on heels at the 200 [metres] and once she got out it took her 50 metres to get going, but when she did she really motored.”

Legless Veuve had a hit and miss season as a filly, including finishing dead last (16^th) behind Hey Doc at Flemington when taking on the boys in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m).

Webb is keen to give her another go at the highest level this Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, but will keep her to a sprint distance.

A winner of three of her 11 career starts, Legless Veuve hasn’t been first past the post since success in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) back in early February.

Her other big win was in the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) in September last year, which led into her failed 14^th when last in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) behind Global Glamour 12 months ago.

She is on track to head to The Valley for the first time in the Manikato Stakes, taking on the tight turns the night before Winx chases a third Ladbrokes Cox Plate win.

Sea Siren (2012) was the first mare since Gold Edition (2007) to win the Manikato Stakes, Webb hoping Legless Veuve can be the next off the unusual preparation.

Futures Manikato Stakes odds at race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au are currently led by Chautauqua and Vega Magic at $8 who will first do battle on October 14 at Randwick in the $10 million The Everest (1200m).

To back Legless Veuve next race and to access the best all-in Manikato Stakes 2017 betting markets visit Ladbrokes.com.au today.