Manikato Stakes 2026 Betting Tips

Some of Australia’s best sprinters embark on Caulfield this Sunday for the Group 1 Manikato Stakes. It’s a red-hot field for the feature race, which is headlined by current favourite Beiwacht. Looking to cause an upset are the likes of Giga Kick, Jimmysstar, and Oliveanotherday. Formerly held at Moonee Valley, the race takes on a new look in 2026, and it should be a great 1200m contest.

Best Bet

Best Each Way

Best Roughie

Manikato Stakes Tips for Trifecta

Punters should have five runners on their ticket for the Manikato Stakes trifecta. We have included Warwoven as our next best pick.

• Beiwacht
• Oliveanotherday
• Geegees Mistruth
• Napoleonic
• Jimmysstar

Manikato Stakes First-Four Tips

We have included seven runners for our Manikato Stakes first-four. Boxing all seven selections gives punters a good chance of collecting the first four dividends.

• Beiwacht
• Oliveanotherday
• Geegees Mistruth
• Napoleonic
• Jimmysstar
• Giga Kick
• My Gladiola

Manikato Stakes Runner-By-Runner Guide

It’s tough to completely rule out Giga Kick, so we’re found room for him in our first four picks.

He’ll need to improve on his fresh up run, but he’s a classy Group 1 sprinter, and he could bounce back with a big effort.

There hasn’t been much betting support for Pericles, and it’s tough to see him take out the Manikato Stakes.

He’s fresh up, and we prefer backing runners with some fitness on their side for a race like this.

We’re not sure what to make of Jimmysstar. He didn’t let down as expected last time out, but he might have needed the run.

He will likely settle midfield before looking to launch late, and Caulfield gives him a chance to do that. Therefore, we’re putting him in our Manikato Stakes picks at the each-way odds.

He scored an upset Group 1 win last campaign, but we can’t see him repeating that effort this time around.

His form since hasn’t been good, and he might have lost the fire now.

Beiwacht had the race run to suit last time out when kicking away from them, and he could repeat that effort on Sunday.

There doesn’t appear to be much speed in the race besides Oliveanotherday, and the favourites could have the race to themselves.

He’s a big boy, and he could outmuscle them to win as the favourite.

His form last season was good, but it didn’t come at this level. We don’t expect him to be competitive fresh up at Group 1 level.

He’s an interesting runner. His run for third fresh up was solid enough to consider, and he has ability to figure in the finish.

However, he tends to race a bit greenly in the straight, and with barrier 12 next to his name, it could be too tough from out there.

We almost made him our best roughie. He ran well for second first-up this campaign, and Sydney form tends to stack up well in Melbourne.

Zac Lloyd is the hot rider at the moment, and he could do enough to get Napoleonic over the line to win or place.

Many a good horse have struggled to win first look down the Flemington straight and add Oliveanotherday to the list.

He looked lost over the final 200m, but he goes around a turn on Sunday, and he’s good enough to get back to his winning ways.

Punters get each-way odds, and they’re worth including in picks.

She has a knack of finding form at this time of the year, but this is a big ask of the mare.

We would prefer to see her run at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Week, and that’s where she’ll be at her best.

A mare who can’t be overlooked. She showed that when winning last time out, and her turn-of-foot is good enough to finish over the top of them.

She will settle back, so her chances hinge on how quickly they go up front, but at her best, she could finish in the money.

The odds for Geegees Mistruth are good enough to have a bet on her. She won at Group 1 level last preparation in Adelaide, and she’s drawn to get a soft trip.

She’ll want to get off the rail around the home turn, but she’s good enough to out tough many in this field.

James McDonald jumps on Extragalactic, which makes her a winning threat at the bottom of the page.

She is a promising mare, and she could have a big season. However, she is just a three-win type, and that counts against her.

She’ll get back despite an inside draw, so the $8.50 could be too short to include in Manikato Stakes win bets.

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