Track: Slow Weather: Showers

Thirteen sprinters have accepted for the Group 1 $1,000,000 Manikato Stakes on Cox Plate eve at Moonee Valley.  Ciaron Maher & David Eustace have a very strong hand in it with four runners, while Tony & Calvin McEvoy have two runners entered.  Two of these had their last start in the Schillaci Stakes, two ran in the Caulfield Village Stakes and two of the three 3 year olds ran in the Thoroughbred Club at Caulfield.

The early favourite in the betting is Savatoxl.  The six year old won the Schillaci first up and was a Group 1 winner over this distance in May.  Next in the betting is Lombardo.  He has been impressive winning his last three and try’s Group 1 level for the first time.  Godolphin’s Ingratiating was third in this years Golden Slipper.  Sneaky Five is unbeaten and appears well drawn in barrier six with just 51kg on her back.  Jonker won the Magic Millions Sprint in January and strips fitter again third up.  Bella Nipotina has finished in the top three placings at her last five starts, while Crystal Bound should get an economical run in transit from barrier two.  The remaining runners are $20-1 or longer.

1. Streets Of Avalon

Dual Group 1 winner over 1400m.  Has been six weeks between runs after finishing fifth beaten a length here in the Feehan Stakes over 1600m.  Doesn’t want it to wet.

2. Jonker

Has an inform Daniel Moor in the saddle.  Was seventh in the Bobbie Lewis first up, then sixth behind Masked Crusader at Randwick last start.  Drawn well but needs to improve off recent showings to be a winning chance here.

3. Despatch

Resumes.  Has won three from five first up but this looks a big task.  Prefer others.

4. Savatoxl

Won the Group 1 Goodwood at Morphettville over this distance in May.   Was strong late to win the Schillaci over 1100m first up.  Strips fitter second up and think he will be suited round Moonee Valley.  Rates highly.

5. Express Pass

Has gone to a new level this prep.  Won the Chautauqua Stakes this track and distance two starts ago, then was fifth behind Splintex in the Bobbie Lewis.  Back onto soft ground suits.

6. Lombardo

Lightly raced five year old gelding trained by Price & Kent Jnr.  Has been dominant winning his last three since the blinkers went on.  Think the other key to him is a dry track so connections will be hoping the predicted rain does not arrive.  Maps well.

7. Away Game

One of four Maher & Eustace runners.  She put in a rare bad one in the Gilgai last start.  Looks a really tricky map from barrier 13.

8. Bella Nipotina

Impressed winning the How Now two back, then was close up behind Savatoxl when dropping back to 1100m last start.  Will need some luck at a key stage from barrier one but she is racing in great form and is capable of winning this.

9. Swats That

Saved from Caulfield last week to run in this.  Stuck on well enough off a wide run first up.  Her third place finish in the Lightning Stakes in February reads well for this.  Roughie with a chance.

10. La Mexicana

Consistent mare trained by Anthony & Sam Freedman.  She has been beaten a length or less in her four runs back from a spell but is another that looks to find a tricky map.

11. Ingratiating

Won the Vain Stakes first up at Caulfield, then was second in the Poseidon at Flemington.  Heavily backed in the Danehill Stakes last start but never came on.  Not sure where he is at.

12. Sneaky Five

One of two three-year-old fillies in the race.  She is unbeaten in three trips to the races.  Returned off an eleven month spell with an impressive first up win at Caulfield.  This is tougher but she is drawn well and has plenty of upside.

13. Crystal Bound

Second of the three-year-old fillies.   She was good winning the Cap D’Antibes first up, then stuck on gamely behind Sneaky Five when it was a major disadvantage leading into the head win at Caulfield.  Ready to peak here third up.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
6. Lombardo	4. Savatoxl
4. Savatoxl	12. Sneaky Five
12. Sneaky Five	9. Swats That
13. Crystal Bound	8. Bella Nipotina

Group 1 Cox Plate 2021 (Moonee Valley 2040m)

Group 2 Crystal Mile 2021 (Moonee Valley 1600m)

Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase 2021 (Moonee Valley 2040m)

Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup 2021 (Moonee Valley 2500m)

Bondi Stakes 2021 (Randwick 1600m)