---

---

The Group 1 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes is one of the premier weight-for-age races held at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Victoria during the annual Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. Named after the superb sprinter Manikato, the race offers $2 million in total prize money as of 2022.

The race previously took place under the lights at The Valley on the Friday night prior to the Cox Plate, while in 2023 the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes ran on Cox Plate Day on a Saturday in late October.

As of 2024 the Manikato Stakes has moved to a Friday night in late September, a month prior to its previous timeslot.

Run over 1200 metres the Manikato Stakes is sponsored by Ladbrokes.com.au and attracts a star-studded field of sprinters with many previously coming off an earlier Moonee Valley run in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m).

Both Buffering (2013) and Lankan Rupee (2014) ran second in the Moir Stakes before their respective Manikato Stakes victories. The 2018 Manikato Stakes winner Brave Smash also improved on a lead-up second in the Moir Stakes before his victory but placed eighth in Sydney’s The Everest in between the two Group 1 sprints at The Valley.

Imperatriz (2023) was the last sprinter to complete the Moir Stakes – Manikato Stakes double when the star mare made it four straight victories at the track.

The 2021 Manikato Stakes form was franked with the runner-up Bella Nipotina running third next-up in the VRC Sprint Classic behind Nature Strip.

Bella Nipotina ran second in the Moir Stakes in 2022, and she went on to demolish her rivals in the rescheduled Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes winning by over four lengths on Cox Plate Day.

The Manikato form was again franked by the 2022 winner Bella Nipotina who went on to place in a host of subsequent events including running third the following April in the inaugural The Quokka race in WA.

The 2023 Manikato Stakes form was franked with star mare Imperatriz winning it during her hot Group 1 streak that continued with victories in the VRC Champions Sprint during the Melbourne Cup Carnival and the following autumn’s Black Caviar Lightning Stakes in 2024. She also won the 2024 William Reid Stakes before her retirement.

The Manikato Stakes 2024 form was franked by the runner-up, Growing Empire, who ran a next-up third in that year’s The Everest trifecta in Sydney followed by a Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes third at Flemington over the Melbourne Cup Carnival. 

The 2025 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes runs on Friday September 26, 2025 at Moonee Valley Racecourse as one of the early feature sprints of the spring in Melbourne. 

Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes
Date:	Friday September 26, 2025
Track:	Moonee Valley Racecourse
Distance:	1200m
Race Type:	Weight-For-Age
Status:	Group 1
Prize Money:	$2 million

2025 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Results

• 1st: TBD
• 2nd: TBD
• 3rd: TBD

Check out the official Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes 2025 Results & Finishing Order below once the $2 million sprint takes place at The Valley in late September after moving from late October.

2025 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Betting 

The latest Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes 2025 betting odds on the field of star sprinters facing off at Moonee Valley will be listed here at Races.com.au complete with links to the markets at race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au so you can lock in your Manikato Stakes tips as soon as betting opens.

Jonker ($5.50 in 2021) and Imperatriz ($1.40 in 2023) are the latest favourites in Manikato Stakes betting to salute for the punters.

There was a notable upset in 2024 with Southport Tycoon saluting at Manikato Stakes odds of $21 when defeating his stablemate and the beaten favourite Growing Empire ($3.80). 

2025 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Form

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2025 LADBROKES MANIKATO STAKES FORM GUIDE

2025 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Tips

Top Manikato Stakes betting tips include looking for Group 1 performers with previous experience at the tight Moonee Valley circuit and looking for horses that have finished in the money in the Manikato Stakes results from previous years.

• To Win: TBD

2025 Manikato Stakes Field & Barriers

The Manikato Stakes field attracts a star-studded line-up of spring sprinters, many of which are proven Group 1 performers. Horses that contested Sydney’s Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) during the autumn often target the Manikato Stakes in the spring.

A key lead-up race into the Manikato Stakes field is Flemington’s Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) with Chautauqua (2015) recently completing the double.

Following a run in the Manikato Stakes field horses may target the Group 1 VRC Classic (1200m) – now run as the Champions Sprint – down the Flemington straight over the Melbourne Cup Carnival, a race the 2015 Manikato winner Chautauqua ran second in.

Imperatriz (2023) was the last runner to complete the Manikato Stakes – Champions Sprint double.

The 2025 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes field and barrier draw is released on the Tuesday of race week and will be published in full below as soon as announced.

2025 Manikato Stakes Nominations

Early nominations for the Manikato Stakes in 2025 close on the Friday prior to race week.

This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team.