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Some of the season’s standout sprinters are on show at The Valley under the lights on Friday night with a two-dollar The Everest lead-up taking place at Moonee Valley, and the Races.com.au team has the expert 2025 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes tips and best bets right here.
We have only 10 short distance specialists in the mix for this season’s $2 million Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (1200m) and it is Chris Waller‘s class mare, Lady Shenandoah in her first Melbourne assignment, dominating the markets at a short $2.35 through Ladbrokes.com.au.
So, will triple Group 1 winner Lady Shenandoah get the right run from the outside alley to get the job done for favourite backers?
Or can track specialist Baraqiel go on with the job after winning the Moir here to continue his flawless record at The Valley?
All will be revealed when the Manikato runs as Moonee Valley Race 7 at 9:15pm (AEST) on Friday evening.
In the meantime, check out our Same Race Multi selections for the weight-for-age showdown below.
2025 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Same Race Multi Selections ($14 at time of publish)
- Top 2 – No. 2 Baraqiel
- Top 3 – No. 9 Alabama Lass
- Top 4 – No. 5 Magic Time
BARAQIEL (7), a resilient seven-year-old son of Snitzel, shapes as terrific value in the Manikato Stakes, chasing a perfect five-from-five record at The Valley. Lightly raced after surviving a life-threatening injury, he’s earned his “comeback king” title with consecutive wins this prep in the Listed Norman Carlyon and Group 1 Moir Stakes, where his explosive finish edged out Alabama Lass. A master of the tight-turning circuit, he’s drawn to replicate his Moir run, and with Ben Allen given full tactical license, stable confidence soaring, and momentum on his side, he’s primed to complete the double and claim his Grand Final.
ALABAMA LASS (1), the ultra-consistent Kiwi mare from Ken & Bev Kelso’s stable, presents genuine value in the Manikato Stakes, especially with Craig Williams steering from a perfect gate five. With six wins and four seconds from ten starts, she made a strong impression on Australian debut carrying 57kg to a Listed victory at Flemington, and has returned this prep a more seasoned four-year-old. Runner-up to Baraqiel in the Moir, she’s proven over 1400m and excels at 1200m, boasting two wins and two seconds from four runs. Williams praised her adaptability to The Valley, and if she settles smoothly on pace, she’ll be tough to reel in.
MAGIC TIME (5), a talented six-year-old mare by Hellbent trained by Grahame Begg for Yu Long Investments, steps back into Group 1 company chasing back-to-back wins this prep and makes her Moonee Valley debut with Michael Dee in the saddle. She owns an impressive six-furlong record (5 wins from 9 starts), highlighted by a strong fresh victory in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes where she surged from the back and gave weight to Miss Roumbini, who later franked the form in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke. Dropping to 56.5kg under WFA is a bonus, and while barrier one may require clever navigation, her solid second-up stats and powerful finishing burst make her a genuine Top 3 threat with the right run.
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2. Baraqiel (7)
J: Ben Allen58.5kg
63×11T: L & T Corstens & W Larkin
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5. Magic Time (1)
J: Michael Dee56.5kg
367×1T: Grahame Begg
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9. Alabama Lass (5)
J: Craig Williams56.5kg
211×2T: Ken & Bev Kelso
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| 7. Charm Stone (2) J: Blake Shinn56.5kg 2x10xT: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | ||
| 2. Baraqiel (7) J: Ben Allen58.5kg 63x11T: L & T Corstens & W Larkin | ||
| 5. Magic Time (1) J: Michael Dee56.5kg 367x1T: Grahame Begg | ||
| 6. Lady Shenandoah (10) J: James McDonald56.5kg 111x2T: Chris Waller | ||
| 10. Ameena (4) J: Mark Zahra56.5kg x24x5T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | ||
| 3. Payline (9) J: Justin Huxtable58.5kg 398x5T: Chris & Corey Munce | ||
| 1. Rothfire (8) J: Nash Rawiller58.5kg 427x9T: Robert Heathcote | ||
| 4. Sir Sway (3) J: Lachlan Neindorf58.5kg 822x0T: Sue & Jason Jaensch | ||
| 8. Skybird (6) J: John Allen56.5kg 0x1x6T: Mitchell Freedman | ||
| 9. Alabama Lass (5) J: Craig Williams56.5kg 211x2T: Ken & Bev Kelso |
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