This weekend's Listed Manihi Classic kicks off a huge two months of black-type racing in South Australia with a lot of these horses eyeing off bigger races over the UBET Adelaide Racing Carnival.
This is the fourth year since the Manihi has moved back to the start of the autumn and in the last three years, each winner has had their last start in Victoria.
Year | Horse | Previous Race | Distance | Finish |
2016 | Daytona Grey | Moonee Valley BM 90 | 1200m | 10th |
2015 | The Messina Nymph | Caulfield Listed Alinghi | 1100m | 1sr |
2014 | Angels Beach | Flemington Open | 1100m | 1st |
Sooboog, Husson Eagle, Cavaloce and Pretty Possum all have had their last starts across the border, with Sooboog a last start winner back in August of 2016 in the Group 3 Aurie's Star at Flemington.
Four horses contested last year's Manihi including 2016 runner-up I Am Gypsy, third placed Pretty Possum along with Sooboog (10th) and Karacatis (12th).
Coming through the Listed Matrice Stakes on UBET Adelaide Cup Day is winner Casino Wizard, runner-up Karlovasi and Scratchy Lass.
Early favourite with UBET is the Lloyd Kennewell trained Viddora who has freshened up after Gold Coast Magic Millions campaign and flies fresh (5:2-1-1)
Dom Tourneur has won the Manihi on three occasions, while Clare Lindop and Matthew Neilson have won the last two editions respectively. Paul Gatt who is set to ride the Richard Jolly trained Karlovasi, won the Manihi way back in 1999 on Lake Villa.
The Manihi has been a key lead up race for the Group 3 Irwin Stakes which will be run on Saturday 22 April.
Click here to view the UBET Market for the Manihi Classic
Looking ahead to Sunday and the Oakbank Prelude meeting will provide a wonderful lead into the world famous two day Oakbank Easter Carnival coming up on Saturday April 15 and Monday April 17.
The two jumping events will be the clear standouts on the eight race card. Both worth $42,000 the UBET Hurdle over 2900 metres and Thomas Foods International Steeplechase over 3250 metres are certain to provide significant pointers to the major jumping races over the Easter weekend.