Form analyst, RIC CHAPMAN, looks at every runner in Saturday’s Group 1 Manikato Stakes with horse racing tips for the first four. Read on to see how he maps this great race and his final thoughts. Good luck!
The Valley R11 -G1 $2million Manikato Stakes (3YO+) 1200m
1. BEHEMOTH (16) 6x20x67x06
T: David Jolly / J: Ben Melham (58.5kg)
The old former star at this level. Is 3rd up here after two unplaced runs at this level. Maybe not what he used to be and this draw is no help either.
2. ELEVEN ELEVEN (7) x4181x430x
T: Greg Hickman / J: Hugh Bowman (58.5kg)
Resuming here but does have a lot of ability when fresh. Gets back and can run home hard. What will help him is the fact there is a lot of up front speed in this.
3. STREETS OF AVALON (10) 3x5632x87x
T: Shane Nichols /J: Zac Spain (58.5kg)
Never seems to win but is always a bit of a threat or thorn in the side in this level. Place show.
4. The Inferno (17) 20x8730x40
T: Cliff Brown / J: Blake Shinn (58.5kg)
scratched
5. PAULELE (6) x103322x61
T: James Cummings / J: James McDonald (58.5kg)
Very smart horse getting better with racing. Got struck over the head with the whip last start in the straight yet still charged through a gap and raced on to win. Is peaking for this and has the gate to give him a perfect run throughout. Looks the one to beat.
6. SHAQUERO (12) 796x068x70
T: Chris Waller / J: Brett Prebble (58.5kg)
Former star juvenile who hasn’t been on form for some time. Not keen.
7. ROTHFIRE (5) 47x5543x15
T: Robert Heathcote /J: Damian Lane (58.5kg)
Is in the slot and ready to win now that he is 3rd up. Perfectly drawn. Can be just behind the speed to the bend and then extend. Does look very well placed from this alley and would be right in the fray.
8. THE ASTROLOGIST (8) x372633x64
T: Team Corstens / J: Fred Kersley (58.5kg)
Is close to a win. Expect him to be just behind the speed, maybe midfield then come home hard. Is fit enough and talented enough to get home over the top of these.
9. SEPTEMBER RUN (13) 664x3135x8
T: Chris Waller / J: Kerrin McEvoy (56.5kg)
Overlook last start 8th at this level. Always runs brilliantly at this track and if she gets cover early she can rattle home hard. Chance.
10. BELLA NIPOTINA (2) 3x58155x12
T: Ciaran Maher & David Eustace / J: Craig Williams (56.5kg)
Smart mare who looks well placed. Rattle home from well back in Gr 1 Moir over 1000m and beaten a nose by Coolangatta after giving her 6.5kg. Extra 200m here suits her and she meets Coolangatta a kg better.
11. ROCH ‘N’ HORSE (15) 427210×422
T: Michael Moroney /J: Patrick Moloney (56.5kg)
Extremely smart sprinter. Is a Gr 1 winner this trip and last start chased home the smart Private Eye when 2nd and that horse went on to run 2nd in The Everest. Must be considered.
12. Jamaea (9) x93803x248
T: Team Price / J: Joe McNeil (56.5kg)
scratched
13. BEST OF BORDEAUX (14) 112×521
T: Kaci Fogden / J: Tim Clark (53kg)
Star sprinter who was 2nd in the Gr 1 Golden Slipper and as a 3YO last start led all the way in the mud to land the Gr 2 Roman Consul against his own age ground. Light weight here and has tremendous speed. Bound to be in the finish.
14. COOLANGATTA (1) 1x11x3x31
T: Ciaran Maher & David Eustace / J: Jamie Kah (51kg)
Brilliant Gr 1 winning filly. Also won the Magic Millions Classic and was 3rd in the Gr 1 Golden Slipper. In fact, from 6 starts to date only 4 horses have beaten her home, and 2 of them are in this race? Rothfire and Best Of Bordeaux. Off this draw she can charge, be able to settle in just behind the speed and finish hard.
15. SAVATOXL (18) 0x10x0289x
T: Team McEvoy / J: Linda Meech (58.5kg)
Has to go hard from here and will be there until the tu8rn but the better ones will run him down.
16. General Beau (11) –
T: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou/ J: Kerrin McEvoy (56.5kg)
scratched
17. In The Boat (3) –
T: Mark Newnham / J: Tom Sherry (56.5kg)
