Manikato Stakes

The Manikato Stakes is a MVRC Group 1 Australian Thoroughbred horse race run under Weight for Age conditions, over a distance of 1200 metres at Moonee Valley Racecourse, Melbourne in October. Total prize money for the race is A$1,000,000

The race is named after the great race horse Manikato who won this race twice as well as recording 5 consecutive wins in the William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley from 1979 to 1983.

Part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series in 2009, the winner of the Manikato Stakes automactically qualifies for a berth in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint in the United States.

From 2012, the race date is moved to Cox Plate Carnival Friday night.^[1]

Race History

Race distance

• 1968 - 1971 held over 6 furlongs (approx. 1200 metres)
• 1972 onwards held over 1200 metres.

Race grade

• 1968 - 1978 run as a Principal race.
• 1979 - 1988 run as a Group 2 race.
• 1989 onwards run as a Group 1 race.

Race name

• 1968 - 1983 the race was known as the 'Freeway Stakes'
• 1984 onwards the race was known as the 'Manikato Stakes'

The winners