The Manikato Stakes 2026 marks a major shift in the spring landscape, with the iconic Group 1 sprint to run at Caulfield instead of Moonee Valley. This elite 1200m weight-for-age showdown consistently attracts Australia’s fastest sprinters, and the move to Caulfield while The Valley gets an upgrade adds a fresh tactical layer for punters lining up early betting tips. As one of the key early-spring features, the Manikato Stakes delivers high-pressure racing, proven stars, and emerging speed machines, making it a must-follow event for form, odds and betting insights throughout the spring carnival. Our Manikato Stakes guide keeps you ahead of the market with updated Manikato Stakes odds, form pointers, race history and expert Manikato Stakes tips for the 2026 edition.

2026 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Results

Check out the official Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes 2026 Results & Finishing Order below once the $2 million sprint takes place in late September.

• 1st: No. 3 Jimmysstar ($6.50)
• 2nd: No. 13 Extragalactic
• 3rd: No. 10 Charm Stone

Winning Margin: 0.75 lengths

Winning Time: 1:08.24

The 2026 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes results saw star sprinter Jimmysstar ($6.50) return to his brilliant best with a powerful finishing burst to capture the Group 1 feature over 1200m at Caulfield, capping an extraordinary day for trainer Ciaron Maher. The seven-year-old son of Per Incanto overcame a poor start before unleashing his trademark acceleration under Ethan Brown to defeat Extragalactic ($5) by three-quarters of a length, with defending champion Charm Stone ($21) gamely holding third. The victory, his fourth at Group 1 level, followed a dominant day for Maher that also featured stakes wins by Royal Supremacy, Over The Bridge, and Pride Of Jenni. Maher revealed a return to the gelding’s preferred “get back and charge home” racing pattern was the key to the win and indicated a tilt at The Everest was now firmly on the agenda. The performance triggered a significant market move, with Ladbrokes slashing Jimmysstar’s 2026 The Everest odds from $26 into $13, elevating him to the third line of betting behind confirmed contender Ka Ying Rising ($1.35) and Tempted ($7). Still chasing one of the remaining slots in the 12-horse field for Randwick’s $20 million sprint, Jimmysstar has firmly re-established himself among Australia’s elite speedsters and shapes as a genuine Everest contender on the back of his electrifying Manikato triumph.

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Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Tips

Top Manikato Stakes betting tips include looking for Group 1 performers with previous experience at the tight Moonee Valley circuit and looking for horses that have finished in the money in the Manikato Stakes results from previous years.

Check out our full Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes 2026 tips, predictions and best bets! 

• Favourite: No. 5 Beiwacht

• Each Way Danger: No. 11 My Gladiola

• Best Roughie: No. 7 Beadman

Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes News

Jimmysstar Explodes to 2026 Manikato Stakes Glory and Boosts Everest Dreams

• Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes 2026 Preview, Tips & Best Bets
• Moir Stakes 2026 Results: My Gladiola Storms to a Breakthrough Group 1 Win
• The Heath Winner Oliveanotherday New 2026 Manikato Favourite, Everest Calls
• 2025 Manikato Stakes Results: Charm Stone Beats Baraqiel in Upset
• Group 1 Manikato Stakes Odds Update, Late Mail & Tips

The Group 1 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes is one of the premier weight-for-age races traditionally held at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Victoria during the annual Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. Named after the superb sprinter Manikato, the race offers $2 million in total prize money as of 2022.

In 2026, the race moved from The Valley (under redevelopment) to Caulfield and Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Day was held on the Sunday after Saturday’s Golden Rose Stakes card in Sydney.

Run over 1200 metres the Manikato Stakes is currently sponsored by Ladbrokes and attracts a star-studded field of sprinters with many previously coming off an earlier run in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m).

Both Buffering (2013) and Lankan Rupee (2014) ran second in the Moir Stakes before their respective Manikato Stakes victories. The 2018 Manikato Stakes winner Brave Smash also improved on a lead-up second in the Moir Stakes before his victory but placed eighth in Sydney’s The Everest in between the two Group 1 sprints at The Valley.

Imperatriz (2023) was the last sprinter to complete the Moir Stakes – Manikato Stakes double when the star mare made it four straight victories at the track.

The 2021 Manikato Stakes form was franked with the runner-up Bella Nipotina running third next-up in the VRC Sprint Classic behind Nature Strip.

Bella Nipotina ran second in the Moir Stakes in 2022, and she went on to demolish her rivals in the rescheduled Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes winning by over four lengths on Cox Plate Day.

The Manikato form was again franked by the 2022 winner Bella Nipotina who went on to place in a host of subsequent events including running third the following April in the inaugural The Quokka race in WA.

The 2023 Manikato Stakes form was franked with star mare Imperatriz winning it during her hot Group 1 streak that continued with victories in the VRC Champions Sprint during the Melbourne Cup Carnival and the following autumn’s Black Caviar Lightning Stakes in 2024. She also won the 2024 William Reid Stakes before her retirement.

The Manikato Stakes 2024 form was franked by the runner-up, Growing Empire, who ran a next-up third in that year’s The Everest trifecta in Sydney followed by a Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes third at Flemington over the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

2026 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Betting

The latest Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes 2026 betting odds on the field of star sprinters facing off at Moonee Valley will be listed here at Races.com.au complete with links to the markets at race sponsor Ladbrokes so you can lock in your Manikato Stakes tips as soon as betting opens.

Jonker ($5.50 in 2021) and Imperatriz ($1.40 in 2023) are the latest favourites in Manikato Stakes betting to salute for the punters.

There was a notable upset in 2024 with Southport Tycoon saluting at Manikato Stakes odds of $21 when defeating his stablemate and the beaten favourite Growing Empire ($3.80).

Another massive upset occurred in the 2025 Manikato Stakes with Charm Stone saluting at $31! 

Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Field

2026 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Form

The Manikato Stakes form guide is the key resource punters use to break down every runner in the 1200m Group 1 sprint, to be held at Caulfield in 2026. It pulls together the essential details — recent form, speed profiles, sectionals, barriers, jockeys, and stable patterns — so you can quickly assess which sprinters are ready to peak in one of the spring’s most explosive weight-for-age races. For a race traditionally won by proven, high-class speed horses, the form guide is your best tool for lining up confident Manikato Stakes betting predictions.

What Punters Should Look for in the Manikato Stakes Form Guide:

• Lead-up sprint form — The best Manikato winners usually come through races like the Moir Stakes, McEwen Stakes or other sharp early-spring sprints. Look for runners showing strong closing splits or improving second-up profiles.
• 1200m WFA credentials — This race rewards genuine weight-for-age sprinters. Horses proven at Group level over 1000-1200m are historically the safest bets.
• Track suitability — With the race shifting from Moonee Valley to Caulfield in 2026, track adaptability matters. Horses with tactical speed and a clean turn of foot tend to handle Caulfield’s sweeping layout best.
• Sectional times — Fast last-400m and last-200m splits in lead-up runs are major indicators of a sprinter ready to explode at Group 1 level.
• Barrier draw — Caulfield’s 1200m start can be tricky. Inside gates help on-pacers hold a spot, while swoopers need a barrier that gives them clean air to build momentum.
• Speed map — The Manikato is often run at a genuine tempo. Identifying who leads, who sits outside the speed, and who gets the perfect stalking run is crucial.
• Stable intent — Top yards like Maher, Waller and Price/Kent target this race deliberately. Their runners usually arrive fit, forward and primed to peak.
• Market moves — Firmers in early betting are worth respecting. The market has an excellent read on elite sprinters at this time of year.

FULL 2026 LADBROKES MANIKATO STAKES FORM GUIDE

2026 Manikato Stakes Nominations

Early nominations for the Manikato Stakes in 2026 close on the Monday prior to race.

The 2026 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes nominations attracted a bumper 16 spring sprinters led in all-in betting at race sponsor Ladbrokes by Chris Waller’s emphatic three-length Memsie Stakes winner Beiwacht chasing a Group 1 hat-trick.

2026 Manikato Stakes Final Field

The Manikato Stakes field attracts a star-studded line-up of spring sprinters, many of which are proven Group 1 performers. Horses that contested Sydney’s Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) during the autumn often target the Manikato Stakes in the spring.

A key lead-up race into the Manikato Stakes field is Flemington’s Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) with Chautauqua (2015) recently completing the double.

Following a run in the Manikato Stakes field horses may target the Group 1 VRC Classic (1200m) – now run as the Champions Sprint – down the Flemington straight over the Melbourne Cup Carnival, a race the 2015 Manikato winner Chautauqua ran second in.

Imperatriz (2023) was the last runner to complete the Manikato Stakes – Champions Sprint double.

The 2026 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes field and barrier draw is released on the Wednesday of race week and will be published in full below as soon as announced.

The Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes 2026 final field features a quality line-up of 13 spring sprinters including three-length Memsie Stakes champion Beiwacht drawn well in gate three and John McArdle’s last start Group 1 Moir Stakes winning mare My Gladiola.

Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Barrier & Speedmap

1

Geegees Mistruth Off Midfield

2

Extragalactic Midfield

3

Beiwacht Leader

4

Giga Kick Off Midfield

5

Oliveanotherday Pace

6

Rothfire Midfield

7

Napoleonic Midfield

8

Jimmysstar Off Midfield

9

My Gladiola Midfield

10

Pericles Midfield

11

Charm Stone Off Pace

12

Beadman Midfield

13

Gallant Son Pace

Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes History

Inaugurated in 1968 as the Freeway Stakes, the race became the Manikato Stakes in 1984. The event was first won by Winfreaux and then in 1979 and 1982 Manikato claimed the race as his own. Manikato went on to win the William Reid Stakes five years in a row. In a total of 49 career starts, the legendary horse managed 29 wins and 13 places. In 1984 Manikato died from an illness and was buried at the Moonee Valley racecourse.

The Manikato Stakes has produced several WS Cox Plate winners including Sunline in 2000-01, Dane Ripper in 1997, Rubiton in 1987 and Strawberry Road in 1983.

Double winners of the race include Dual Choice in 1970-71, Tauto in 1973-74, Spinning Hill in 2002-03 and Spark Of Life in 2004-05. The fastest winning time recorded since 1980 was by Our Westminster in 1989 with 1 minute 8 seconds. The slowest winning time was by Silver Bounty in 1981 with 1 minute 17 seconds.

In 2020 Hey Doc made history as the first dual champion on non-successive years since the race’s now namesake Manikato (1979, 1982) and in doing so also set a new race record time of 1:08.76.

In 2022 the Manikato Stakes meeting on the Friday night was abandoned due to lightning and rescheduled to run on the Saturday’s Cox Plate Day card with Bella Nipotina winning by nearly five lengths.

The 2023 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes remained on Cox Plate Day and was won in flying fashion by the Moir Stakes winning mare Imperatriz.

In 2024 the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes date was moved forward a month to take place in late September for the first time.

Charm Stone (2025) was the latest Manikato Stakes winning mare. She returned in 2026 and ran a brave third to Jimmysstar.

The 2026 event ran at Caulfield Racecourse.

Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Previous Race Winners

Manikato Stakes FAQs

What is the Manikato Stakes?
The Manikato Stakes is a premier Group 1 1200m weight-for-age sprint, currently held at Caulfield in 2026, featuring Australia’s fastest and most proven sprinters.

When is the Manikato Stakes run?
The race is traditionally held in late October, forming a key part of Melbourne’s early spring racing program. The 2026 edition will take place on Sunday September 27.

Where is the Manikato Stakes held?
In 2026, the Manikato Stakes will run at Caulfield Racecourse, moving from its long-time home at Moonee Valley which is undergoing redevelopment.

What distance is the Manikato Stakes run over?
The race is contested over 1200 metres, rewarding elite sprinters with tactical speed and a sharp turn of foot.

How many horses run in the Manikato Stakes?
The Manikato Stakes typically attracts a field of 12–14 runners, depending on acceptances and the strength of the sprinting ranks.

What are the key lead-up races?
The Moir Stakes, McEwen Stakes, and other early-spring sprints often provide the strongest form lines into the Manikato.

Where can I find Manikato Stakes odds?
Updated Manikato Stakes odds are available as soon as markets open at Ladbrokes, with price shifts driven by trials, stable confidence and the official Manikato Stakes barrier draw the week of the race.

Is the Manikato Stakes a good form guide for other Group 1 sprints?
Yes — Manikato runners often progress to major races like the Champions Sprint at Flemington over the Melbourne Cup Carnival and other elite spring sprint features.