David Gately Horse Racing Tips for Manikato Stakes 26/9/25

It doesn’t get much better than Friday night lights at The Valley, and the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) promises to deliver another cracking edition.

With a mix of proven Moonee Valley specialists, rising stars, and a couple of hard-luck stories from the Moir Stakes, the stage is set for a high-class sprint showdown.

The track is rated in the Good/Soft range with the rail out 3m.

Winds are forecast from the north-northwest at around 20kmp/h, giving runners a solid tailwind down the short home straight.

Recent patterns suggest the inside and on-speed brigade will have their chance, but as always at The Valley, tempo is key.

You can grab my full set via the link below for Friday racing.

 

 

David Gately Horse Racing Tips for Manikato Stakes 27/9/25

 

 

Gator’s Top Selections

Best Bet – #6 Lady Shenandoah $2.30

She was nothing short of a moral beaten first-up when she went untested until the last 100m, and still went within a whisker of winning.

The step to 1200m is perfect, she’s a genuine star mare, and while the wide draw isn’t ideal, her class should shine through.

 

Main Danger – #2 Baraqiel $5.50

The Moonee Valley specialist who burst through to claim the G1 Moir.

He’s unbeaten in four runs at the track and is even better suited at 1200m.

Forget his straight-track efforts — he’s a different beast around The Valley.

 

Big Watch – #8 Skybird $7.50

The Moir hard-luck story. She was bolting but simply had nowhere to go.

Now out to 1200m, she can explode late if the breaks go her way.

 

Leader’s Edge – #9 Alabama Lass $6.00

Looked the winner in the Moir before Baraqiel nabbed her late.

She’ll be fitter second-up and could prove hard to run down if the track favours leaders again.

 

Blowout Chance – #7 Charm Stone $27.00

Resumes off her brilliant G1 Sangster win last prep where she had Giga Kick in her wake.

If she’s forward enough, she’s the one at odds who can shake things up.

 

Gator’s Verdict

Lady Shenandoah is the clear top pick and rates as the Best Bet of the night, but The Valley specialists Baraqiel and Skybird are obvious threats.

Alabama Lass is the one they’ll need to catch, while Charm Stone is the knockout hope fresh.

 

Top 5 Selections:

1. Lady Shenandoah (#6)

2. Baraqiel (#2)

3. Skybird (#8)

4. Alabama Lass (#9)

5. Charm Stone (#7)

 

There are loads of tips for today's racing in our Horse Racing Tips market at theGreatTipOff.com.