The Lindsay Park stable are chasing another spring Group 1 feature race win under the lights at Moonee Valley this Friday night saddling-up Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes 2017 betting favourite Vega Magic.
The Everest runner-up Vega Magic is tipped to return to winning form in Friday night’s 2017 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Last weekend the David Hayes-led training trio enjoyed a shock Caulfield Cup win with $51 roughie Boom Time, but punters won’t find their Group 1 $1 million Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (1200m) contender at anywhere near that price.
Prior to Tuesday morning’s final acceptances, the latest Manikato Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au have the in-form Lope De Vega five-year-old Vega Magic at a short $2.60 to return to winning form the night before Winx chases her third Ladbrokes Cox Plate win.
Two back the gelding enjoyed a 1.75 length win at Caulfield in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) before the eye-catching second at Randwick in the Group 1 The Everest (1200m) after getting caught wide.
“It was a tragedy he got beaten but he ran an enormous race,” Hayes said.
The WA expat will face a number of same rivals as in the $10 million The Everest and is tipped to salute adding to his strong record over the distance (13: 9-2-1) as he sees the tight Moonee Valley track for the first time with Craig Williams in the saddle.
Occupying the second line of all-in Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes betting this spring at $6 is In Her Time, while the ‘Grey Flash’ Chautauqua follows closely at $7.
Out to be the first mare to win since Sea Siren (2012), the Benjamin Smith-trained In Her Time is also a Moonee Valley maiden.
She has won both her starts this time in, taking out the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) first-up before enjoying the consolation victory in the Listed $500,000 Sydney Stakes (1200m) on The Everest Day after missing out on a slot in the day’s feature.
Hawkes Racing great Chautauqua did make The Everest line-up, but the $8.7 million earner found himself too far back in the run and hand to settle for a fourth just one and a half lengths off the impressive winner Redzel.
The now seven-year-old won the Manikato Stakes (2015) two years ago before his disappointing seventh when two lengths off last year’s upset winner Rebel Dane.
“He came through it [The Everest] really well,” co-trainer John Hawkes told the Herald Sun.
“He’s had a little freshen up on the water walker. He’s great, he’s nice and bright.
“He arrived in Melbourne on Saturday morning. He’s raced at Moonee Valley and he’s done well.”
Check out the latest Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes 2017 odds online now before the field announcement through Ladbrokes.com.au.