Racing calendar / Kristen Manning / 25 September 2009 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

Such is the depth to Friday night's $500,000 Gr.1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley that the best performed horse in the race - the five times Gr.1 winner Apache Cat - is quoted at $7 in early markets, writes Kristen Manning.

And that looks outstanding value for such a high class campaigner, especially for one who has already won two Gr.1 races at Moonee Valley - and by wide margins too.

Apache Cat won't of course have the race to himself however, Mic Mac in fact one his main dangers. He is back to the 1200m after running second to Whobegotyou in the Feehan Stakes over a mile, his trainer Greg Eurell feeling that he best be trained as a sprinter at this stage of his career.

Still a bit immature at four, Mic Mac however is all heart and if any horse can win a Gr.1 dropping back 400m it is he.

Another four-year-old in the shape Nicconi is also a major threat. He could not have been more impressive taking out the McEwen Stakes first up at this track and he is already proven at Gr.1 level.

Swift Alliance is still somewhat of an unknown - his will to win well exposed with an impressive strike rate of six wins from seven starts - but he is yet to tackle this type of opposition. His trainer Gai Waterhouse is buoyant about his chances though and Blake Shinn knows what a top horse feels like. No surprise at all to see him measuring up here.

Same goes for Secret Flyer who was not especially suited by drawing barrier one last start behind Nicconi. He has three here which again is not perfect but he does possess a terrific finishing sprint and any pace on will suit.

And of course the warrior Lucky Secret can never be overlooked - they just don't make them any tougher. Really finding the line despite drifting out in the straight in Sydney last time, he races just as well second up and he absolutely loves Moonee Valley - seven wins from eight starts. Plus he is probably the best sprinter not to have won a Gr.1 going around - and he deserves success at that level.

A hard race to summarize with so many classy sprinters who know what it is like to tough it out and find the line. On pure value I am sticking with Apache Cat as the Betfair pick.

Value elsewhere on the Moonee Valley card also. Cerberus Girl should again prove hard to run down in the first, Maunatrice in the third looks ready to improve up in distance whilst Carrara is a big chance to continue on his winning way in the Stutt Stakes.

Avenue is the up and comer of the Champagne Stakes field and hard to beat whilst Singapore flyer Jolie's Shinju will be hard to catch from barrier one in the JRA Cup - the get-out (or profit more!) stakes.

-------------------------------------------------------------

The Betfair tip of the weekend is Apache Cat in the $500,000 Gr.1 Manikato Stakes to go to the market, click here.