MOONEE VALLEY COMES ALIGHT FOR MANIKATO STAKES

By Taron Clarke | Thursday, September 23, 2010

Friday night sees a return to the night racing circuit at Moonee Valley Racing Club, with the highlight of the evening being the $500,000 Group 1 Manikato Stakes over 1200 metres to be run under Weight for Age conditions.

A select field of only nine sprinters have accepted for the feature event to be run under lights for only the second year.

After a devastating return to racing two weeks ago in the Ian McEwen Trophy, former West Australian galloper Hay List will no doubt start a pronounced favourite for the event.

Having only his third start under the guidance of Gosford trainer John McNair, the son of Statue of Liberty disposed of a field of quality sprinters with contempt. Even rival trainer Mark Kavanagh was blown away by the performance and has vowed to dodge the hulking gelding with his sprinter Catapulted, who finished a distant runner up in the McEwen Trophy.

Hay List has drawn what looks to be an awkward barrier in one. With noted speedster's Reward For Effort and Bank Robber drawn immediately outside of him in barrier two and three respectively, Schofield will need to make an early decision as to whether to hunt up and hold the fence with the intent of leading throughout or attempt to take a sit in behind the leader and get off the fence before he gets hemmed in on the paint. The first two hundred metres of the event will most likely determine Hay List's fate.

The only horse to defeat Hay List in his three racetrack appearances in the eastern states is Love Conquers All. The Mossman entire disposed of Hay List in the Listed June Stakes held at Randwick in early June. Love Conquers All then went on to score a convincing win in the Listed Missile Stakes over three time Group 1 winner Danleigh.

In his most recent start, Love Conquers All finished a disappointing last as a short priced favourite in the Group 3 Bobby Lewis Quality behind Doubtful Jack.

It was later determined the four-year-old was showing signs of atrial fibrillation. The Hawkes camp have since adorned the entire with a tongue tie in an effort to rule out the possibility of the horse choking down in the run. Leading Sydney hoop Jim Cassidy retains the mount and the Nick Moratis owned horse will start from barrier six.

All Silent will have his first racetrack start on the Strath-Ayr surface in the Manikato. The Graham Begg gelding returns to the track after a last start fifth placing in the Group 3 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan when beaten two and three quarter lengths.

Begg has given the son of Belong To Me two barrier trials at Warwick Farm over the past month which should have the dual Group 1 winner primed for a first up assault. All Silent will be ridden by Blake Shinn for the first time and the pair will start from barrier five.

Two interesting runners in the field are David Hayes trained Eagle Falls and the former Gai Waterhouse galloper Bank Robber. Recently transferred to leading Melbourne trainer Mark Kavanagh, Bank Robber will be ridden by stable jockey Michael Rodd.

In the 2009 Spring Carnival the son of Dash For Cash acquitted himself well for minor placings in the Group 2 Schweppes Stakes behind champion sprinter Apache Cat and third placing in the Group 1 Patinack Farm Stakes down the Flemington straight on Stakes Day during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Eagle Falls makes his racetrack return after a four month absence. After excellent runs in both the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate and Newmarket Handicap, the Hussonet entire campaigned overseas in the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen and the Group 1 Krisflyer International Sprint held in Singapore. On both occasions the David Hayes trained galloper finished fifth beaten four and a half lengths.

With an impeccable Moonee Valley race record which reads four starts for three wins and a second, Eagle Falls looms as the biggest threat to Hay List. Eagle Falls has drawn barrier seven. At the odds Eagle Falls will provide the value pick in the event.

This year’s rendition of the Manikato Stakes is a very even bunch of sprinters. Will Hay List continue his rise to the top or will another galloper grab the Group 1 glory? All will be decided on Friday evening at 09.15pm local time.

Selections:
1. Hay List
2. Eagle Falls
3. All Silent

More articles