2026 Manikato Stakes Tips, Odds & Betting Preview

The 2026 Manikato Stakes moves to Caulfield this Sunday, September 27, bringing together an outstanding group of sprinters for the $2 million Group 1 feature.

Memsie Stakes winner Beiwacht drops back to 1200m, Moir Stakes winner My Gladiola attempts to complete a major spring sprint double, and established stars Jimmysstar and Giga Kick add genuine depth. Defending champion Charm Stone also returns in an attempt to win the race for a second consecutive year.

The final field and barriers will be confirmed on Wednesday. This preview is based on the official nominations and current all-in market.

Beiwacht Drops Back in Distance

Beiwacht has emerged as one of Australia’s most exciting weight-for-age horses after defeating a deep field in the Memsie Stakes over 1400m.

The Chris Waller-trained four-year-old raced on the speed and accelerated strongly to beat Mr Brightside, confirming that his Golden Rose victory as a three-year-old was no one-off performance.

The drop to 1200m is the obvious question. Beiwacht has not yet won over the distance and faces several specialist sprinters with more natural early speed. His tactical position and ability to sustain a high cruising speed should keep him in the race, but he may need the leaders to make it a genuine test rather than a short, sharp dash.

At around $4, he deserves favouritism on class while presenting a very different betting proposition from his dominant Memsie performance.

My Gladiola Chases Another Group 1

My Gladiola produced a career-best performance to win the Moir Stakes over 1000m at Sandown. She settled behind the speed before unleashing a powerful finish, proving that she can absorb Group 1 pressure and still accelerate late.

The rise to 1200m should suit. She has always looked capable of being more effective when given time to build through her gears, and her first-up record shows she does not need extensive racing to reach peak form.

Jamie Mott has developed an excellent understanding of the mare. If she draws favourably and the leaders generate the expected pressure, she looks capable of producing another big finish at approximately $11.

Jimmysstar Gets a Gear Change

Jimmysstar is one of the most naturally talented sprinters in the country, although he has not always delivered his best performance when the pressure is greatest.

Ciaron Maher is expected to apply blinkers in an attempt to sharpen the gelding for the Manikato. That could prove important over 1200m at Caulfield, where holding a competitive position before the turn can be decisive.

His best performances are comfortably good enough to win this race. The question is whether he can avoid giving away too much ground and produce his finish at the right time.

Oliveanotherday Returns to Caulfield

Oliveanotherday announced himself as a serious Group 1 sprint prospect when winning The Heath over 1100m at Caulfield. He travelled smoothly behind the speed and put the race away with an impressive turn of foot.

His subsequent fifth was the worst finishing position of his career, but Tom Dabernig has deliberately targeted this race and the return to Caulfield is a positive. The gelding is progressive, tactically versatile and likely to be one of the runners capable of settling close to the lead.

At around $5, the market has already factored in much of his upside. He remains a leading chance but must now prove himself against established Group 1 performers.

Giga Kick Still Commands Respect

Giga Kick finished behind My Gladiola in the Moir Stakes after finding the 1000m short of his optimum trip. The extra 200m is firmly in his favour and he should strip fitter for the run.

The former Everest winner has the strongest peak sprinting performance in the nominated field. Injuries and interrupted preparations have made him difficult to assess in recent seasons, but a return to anything close to his best would put him in the finish.

His price around $9 reflects both his obvious class and the uncertainty over whether he can still reproduce his peak ratings.

Extragalactic and the Defending Champion

Extragalactic is the lightly raced runner with significant upside. Trent Edmonds has secured James McDonald for the ride, an important signal that the mare is expected to be competitive at the highest level. She will need to improve again, but her turn of foot gives her a legitimate chance.

Charm Stone resumes as the defending Manikato champion. She caused an upset in last year’s race and has an excellent record when fresh. The change from Moonee Valley to Caulfield creates a different tactical challenge, but she cannot be dismissed at double-figure odds.

Other Manikato Stakes Chances

Napoleonic and Beadman are emerging sprinters capable of taking the next step, while Skybird has already demonstrated Group 1 ability on her day.

Geegees Mistruth, Point Barrow, Hedged, Gallant Son, Pericles and veteran Rothfire complete the nominations. The final draw will be particularly important for runners that rely on settling close to the speed.

Manikato Stakes Speed Map

Oliveanotherday and Beiwacht should be among the runners seeking prominent positions, with Rothfire and several of the progressive sprinters capable of adding pressure. My Gladiola, Jimmysstar and Giga Kick are likely to settle behind that speed and rely on their finishing power.

Caulfield’s longer straight compared with the traditional Moonee Valley circuit should give the closers more opportunity. That is a positive for My Gladiola and Giga Kick, although conceding too much ground in a high-quality 1200m race remains dangerous.

2026 Manikato Stakes Betting Preview

Beiwacht brings the strongest recent weight-for-age form and should be hard to run down if he can hold a forward position over the shorter trip. My Gladiola has the ideal sprint profile and looks the best value among the established runners.

Jimmysstar is the wildcard with blinkers applied, while Oliveanotherday has been specifically prepared for the race and returns to a course where he has already produced one of his best performances.

Odds quoted are indicative all-in prices and may change after the final field and barriers are declared.