Voodoo Lad is set to weave his magic at The Valley tonight and add to his terrific record at track with another bold showing in the Group 1 $1m Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (1200m).

The Darren Weir trained Voodoo Lad is undefeated from two starts over The Valley’s 1200m course while his only other run at the track resulted in a fifth in the Group 1 $500,000 Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes (1000m) during the 2017 Melbourne Spring Carnival.

Voodoo Lad is coming off a last start fourth in the August 22, 2018 Group 2 $400,000 Keno Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on October 13 and Weir can see the backmarker storming home off the back of a hot pace up front.

“I think Voodoo Lad will like Moonee Valley and he will certainly appreciate getting back to 1200m and importantly he is unbeaten at The Valley over 1200m,” Weir wrote in his column on Racenet.

“It’s a good draw for him and there looks to be a bit of pressure up front which suits him.  He deserves a Group I and he’s been knocking on the door.”

Voodoo Lad has performed well at Group 1 level in the past with two placings while his best recent form includes a win three starts back in the Group 3 $150,000 Aurie’s Star Handicap over 1200m down the Flemington straight followed by a second in the Group 3 $150,000 The Heath 1100 Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on September 1.

Mark Zahra takes over the reins on Voodoo Lad from the injured Brad Rawiller and the Weir trained sprinter will jump from barrier eight in the fourteen horse Manikato Stakes field.

Weir will also saddle up Group 1 winner Brave Smash who will jump from barrier nine with Hugh Bowman to ride.

The Tony McEvoy trained Sunlight is the ruling favourite for the Manikato Stakes at $4.50 at Ladbrokes.com.au and the Zoustar filly will jump from gate three with Tim Clark on top.

Brave Smash is marked at $10 while Voodoo Lad is at the double figure odds of $15.