The 2017 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes field has been released and a stunning field of sprinters are set to contest the Group 1 event at The Valley on Friday night.
Vega Magic has the chance to record another Group 1 victory in the 2017 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos
There is no Redzel in the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes field, but a number of other horses from The Everest are set to back-up in the Group 1 event that shapes as a rematch of The Everest.
Vega Magic was unlucky not to beat Redzel in The Everest, but he will have the opportunity to claim another Group 1 victory in the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes on Friday.
Vega Magic has been nothing short of outstanding since he joined the Lindsay Park stable and he has recorded impressive victories in the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m), Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) and Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) before his second place finish in The Everest.
Chautauqua hit the line strongly to finish fourth behind Redzel, Vega Magic and Brave Smash in The Everest and he is back in Melbourne for another tilt at the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes.
The Encosta De Lago gelding won the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes in stunning fashion in 2015, but he failed to fire in the race 12 months ago.
Gai Waterhouse-trained English rounds out the horses from The Everest that are set to back-up in the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes.
In Her Time missed out on a place in The Everest, but she recorded an excellent win in the Listed Sydney Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on the same day and she will have the chance to record a maiden Group 1 victory.
The other key form reference for the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes will be the Moir Stakes.
Runner-up Viddora will have another crack at Group 1 level after she was narrowly denied by Viddora in the Moir Stakes, while Malaguerra, Rock Magic, Sweet Sherry and Hellbent are also set to back-up from the first Group 1 season at The Valley.
The 2017 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes field is rounded out by Australian Guineas winner Hey Doc, Schillaci Stakes winner Super Cash and the talented Spieth.
