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Sunday hosts the weekend’s feature sprint in Melbourne with $2 million up for grabs in a typically top-class edition of the Ladbrokes-sponsored showdown, and Races.com.au have broken down the full Manikato Stakes 2026 field providing our full preview, tips and best bets right here.
With The Valley undergoing redevelopment, this year’s Group 1 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (1200m) will be run and won at Caulfield and the weight-for-age event has drawn an outstanding field of 13.
Sitting top of the latest Manikato Stakes odds at Ladbrokes is the flying Chris Waller-trained Beiwacht paying $3.20 and firming to make it three Group 1 victories on the trot.
The blueblood Bivouac entire went out a Group 1 All Aged winner in Sydney over Lazzura and Jimmysstar before kicking off where he left off with a commanding, all-the-way three length romp home over veteran Mr Brightside here in the Memsie Stakes.
He was so strong over his pet 1400m trip that the decision from Waller to drop him back in a strong 1200m event could come into question, but he’s drawn a dream in gate three and Nash Rawiller sticks aboard.
From the low draw he’ll land on speed and could just come out on top and become the first Manikato Stakes favourite since Imperatriz ($1.40 in 2023) to salute.
The danger at Manikato Stakes odds of $5.50 is the Tom Dabernig-trained Oliveanotherday who strung together five straight wins before the streak came to an end down the Flemington straight last start.
The ultra-consistent Nicconi four-year-old is undefeated at Caulfield following his eye-catching 1.5 length Group 3 The Heath 1100 victory here fresh before going down a length to cross fifth as the beaten odds on favourite in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis.
Back at Caulfield he’ll be better and ready to bounce back after the straight just found him out on a Good (3) surface.
From gate five with Harry Coffey in the saddle again he’ll appreciate the sting out of the course and get on the speed with no excuses this time.
A further two spring sprinters are under double figures for the win with the Ciaron Maher-trained Jimmysstar ($7) and Trent Edmond‘s exciting mare Extragalactic ($8.50).
Maher has a terrific record in the Manikato having prepared three of the past seven winners and looks to have a genuine chance to add to that with his veteran speedster Jimmysstar second-up and chasing atonement.
The three-time Group 1 champion and former The Everest placegetter is a genuine Caulfield specialist with five wins from eight starts at the track.
He didn’t seem to like the 1400m fresh in the Memsie when a disappointing ninth to Beiwacht but dropping back to the six furlongs looks the right move now and he’s been kept ticking over with a subsequent winning trial.
Blinkers go on to help sharpen him up, the flying Ethan Brown sticks with and at his best he’s capable of giving this a shake.
The mares finished on top of the Manikato Stakes results last year with Charm Stone, and the best of the females in the markets this year is Deep Field four-year-old Extragalactic.
On fire last campaign, she was very competitive during the Adelaide Carnival finishing runner-up in both the Group 2 Tobin Bronze and Group 1 The Goodwood.
She got this prep underway in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) and at a big price was right there in the finish crossing fourth only a length off My Gladiola.
Two-from-two second-up she’ll improve off that and up to 1200m now is perfect.
Big tick is James McDonald coming aboard for the ride from gate two.
The Moir Stakes winner My Gladiola meanwhile shapes up as a terrific each way play at $12 to complete the double despite John McArdle‘s smart grey being winless over further than 1100m.
After announcing her return in style, the talented young mare surged to the top level with an upset first-up win after stalking the speed and proving too strong late.
While the rise to 1200m presents a fresh challenge, she has performed competitively at the distance before and now returns as a more seasoned and race-fit mare.
Jamie Mott retains the ride after a well-judged effort in the Moir, and another favourable run could see her right in the finish.
Other standout value plays in the Manikato this spring include former The Everest hero Giga Kick ($10) chasing his first win since last November’s Champions Sprint, consistent four-year-old Napoleonic ($13) who ran second in the Group 2 Missile Stakes in Sydney, the defending champion Charm Stone ($20) racing first-up from out wide and the Peter Snowden-trained Beadman ($26) who has been left alone by the punters again despite his excellent third fresh behind Tempted at 30/1 in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes.
The 2026 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes is scheduled as Caulfield Race 8 at 4:45pm (AEST) on Sunday’s nine-race card.
2026 Manikato Stakes Best Bets
Favourite: No. 5 Beiwacht
| 5. Beiwacht (3) J: Nash Rawiller 58.5kg 261×1 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months won by 3 len in the G1 Memsie Stakes at this track on August 29 over 1400m on a soft track defeating Mr Brightside with 58.5kg at $6. Previously second-up 2nd of 10 in the G1 Canterbury Stakes at Randwick on March 7 over 1300m, 0.6 len behind Joliestar carrying 56kg at $9. Clearly the one to beat again. Best form is over further but he gets a lot in his favour and might just be too good. | |||
Each Way Danger: No. 11 My Gladiola
| 11. My Gladiola (9) J: Jamie Mott 56.5kg 047×1 T: John Mcardle | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by a long-neck in the G1 Moir Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m in soft going defeating Cavalry Girl with 56.5kg at $9.50. Previously second-up 10th of 14 in the G1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington on March 7 over 1200m, 4 len behind Caballus with 50.5kg at $4.80. Very well ridden to score fresh, perhaps a little niggle in a strong 1200m. | |||
Best Roughie: No. 7 Beadman
| 7. Beadman (12) J: Tim Clark 58.5kg 150×3 T: Peter Snowden | |||
| Second-up. First-up after three months came home strongly from last on the turn; 3rd of 12 in the G2 Concorde Stakes at Randwick on September 5 over 1000m, 1.75 len behind Tempted with 58.5kg at $31. Previously second-up 6th of 14 in the LR Darby Munro Stakes at Rosehill on March 21 over 1200m, slow going 1.5 len behind Beskar with 58.5kg at $4.80. Very good return, just not sure where he gets to from the draw. | |||
2026 Manikato Stakes Same Race Multi Tip
$13 (at time of publish) through Ladbrokes
- Top 3 – No. 5 Beiwacht
- Top 4 – No. 11 My Gladiola
- Top 6 – No. 7 Beadman
Manikato Stakes 2026 Odds
| 1. Giga Kick (4) J: Mark Zahra 58.5kg 420×0 T: Clayton Douglas | |||
| Second-up. First-up after five months 10th of 13 in the G1 Moir Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m, slow going 4.5 len behind My Gladiola carrying 58.5kg at $4.80. Previously second-up 4th of 9 in the G2 Challenge Stakes at Randwick on March 7 over 1000m, 1.4 len behind Generosity carrying 58.5kg at $3.20. Too sharp fresh, his 1200m form reads much better and we k | |||
| 2. Pericles (10) J: Craig Williams 58.5kg 1357x T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Resuming after a break of five-and-a-half months. Finished off last campaign seventh of 13 at Randwick in the G1 All Aged April 18 over 1400m, 2.5 len behind Beiwacht with 59kg at $9.50. Previous preparation first-up won by 0.8 len this track G1 Futurity Stakes February 21 over 1400m defeating Buckaroo with 59kg at $5.50. Tough gelding, not sure he’ll be sharp enough at 1200m. | |||
| 3. Jimmysstar (8) J: Ethan Brown 58.5kg 342×9 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second run back. First-up after three months 9th of 12 in the G1 Memsie Stakes at this track on August 29 over 1400m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Beiwacht with 59kg at $3.80. Previously second-up 5th of 9 in the G1 TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick on April 4 over 1200m, slow going 2.25 len behind Joliestar carrying 58.5kg at $6. Disappointing fresh, best would go close but does need to find a | |||
| 4. Rothfire (6) J: Brad Rawiller 58.5kg 170×8 T: Robert Heathcote | |||
| Second-up. First-up after three months 8th of 13 in the G1 Moir Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m, on a slow track; 4 len behind My Gladiola with 58.5kg at $31. Previously second-up came from midfield and won by 1.0 len in the G1 Doomben 10,000 on May 16 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating Spicy Martini carrying 58.5kg at $61. Old marvel but this will test. | |||
| 5. Beiwacht (3) J: Nash Rawiller 58.5kg 261×1 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months won by 3 len in the G1 Memsie Stakes at this track on August 29 over 1400m on a soft track defeating Mr Brightside with 58.5kg at $6. Previously second-up 2nd of 10 in the G1 Canterbury Stakes at Randwick on March 7 over 1300m, 0.6 len behind Joliestar carrying 56kg at $9. Clearly the one to beat again. Best form is over further but he gets a lot in his favour and might just be too good. | |||
| 6. Gallant Son (13) J: Luke Nolen 58.5kg 1132x T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | |||
| Resuming. Finished off last preparation second of 14 at Flemington in the G1 Newmarket March 7 over 1200m, a neck behind Caballus carrying 52kg at $61. Previous preparation first-up won by long-neck Flemington Bm70 January 10 over 1000m defeating Along The River carrying 61kg at $3.20. Good horse, weight-for-age is a new test. | |||
| 7. Beadman (12) J: Tim Clark 58.5kg 150×3 T: Peter Snowden | |||
| Second-up. First-up after three months came home strongly from last on the turn; 3rd of 12 in the G2 Concorde Stakes at Randwick on September 5 over 1000m, 1.75 len behind Tempted with 58.5kg at $31. Previously second-up 6th of 14 in the LR Darby Munro Stakes at Rosehill on March 21 over 1200m, slow going 1.5 len behind Beskar with 58.5kg at $4.80. Very good return, just not sure where he gets to from the draw. | |||
| 8. Napoleonic (7) J: Zac Lloyd 58.5kg x30x2 T: John O’shea & Tom Charlton | |||
| Second-up. Comes off a 50-day let-up. First-up after two months sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 7 in the G2 Missile Stakes at Randwick on August 8 over 1200m, 1.2 len behind Ninja with 56.5kg at $9. Previously second-up 12th of 16 in the G1 Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm on May 30 over 1300m, slow going 4 len behind Headley Grange carrying 57kg at $12. Good return and in the minor mix. | |||
| 9. Oliveanotherday (5) J: Harry Coffey 58.5kg 11×15 T: Tom Dabernig | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 1.5 len in a G3 The Heath 1100 Stakes at this track on August 29 over 1100m in soft going defeating Bridal Waltz with 58kg at $2.30. Second run from a spell sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 14 in the G2 Bobbie Lewis Quality at Flemington on September 12 over 1200m, 1.2 len behind Losesomewinmore with 57kg at $1.60. Touch disappointing latest but fresh win was fantastic and he can bounce b | |||
| 10. Charm Stone (11) J: Damian Lane 56.5kg 6x43x T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of five months. Finished off last preparation third of 13 at Morphettville in the G1 Sangster April 25 over 1200m, a nose behind Geegees Mistruth carrying 56.5kg at $6.50. Previously first up; fourth of 11 at this track in the G1 William Reid March 21 over 1200m, 0.9 len behind Jigsaw carrying 56.5kg at $21. Talented mare, draw doesn’t make it easy. | |||
| 11. My Gladiola (9) J: Jamie Mott 56.5kg 047×1 T: John Mcardle | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by a long-neck in the G1 Moir Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m in soft going defeating Cavalry Girl with 56.5kg at $9.50. Previously second-up 10th of 14 in the G1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington on March 7 over 1200m, 4 len behind Caballus with 50.5kg at $4.80. Very well ridden to score fresh, perhaps a little niggle in a strong 1200m. | |||
| 12. Geegees Mistruth (1) J: Blake Shinn 56.5kg 721×5 T: Mark Walker | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months 5th of 13 in the G1 Moir Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m, slow going 2 len behind My Gladiola with 56.5kg at $12. Previously second-up didn’t finish the race at this track in the G1 Oakleigh Plt February 21 over 1100m. Solid return and a good mare, just not sure she’s quite up to this. | |||
| 13. Extragalactic (2) J: James McDonald 56.5kg 122×4 T: Trent Edmonds | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months 4th of 13 in the G1 Moir Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m, slow going 1.3 len behind My Gladiola carrying 56.5kg at $13. Previously second-up came from midfield and won by 1.0 len in a 3yo F Hcp at this track on April 4 over 1200m defeating Marsept carrying 52.5kg at $3.90. Very good fresh albeit with right sort of run, up in trip suits and J-Mac on. | |||
