News Corp form analyst Brad Waters takes an early look at Friday night’s Manikato Stakes meeting at The Valley. • Clinton Payne’s Manikato Stakes tips, runner-by-runner form analysis ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ BEST BET ALSEPHINA ( Race 8 , No. 5): Made a terrific Melbourne debut when caught wide at Flemington first-up.
She’ll only be improved and will be better on firmer footing. BEST VALUE BENAGIL ( Race 5 No. 11): Won her two winter starts but has impressed at her recent jumpouts.
She can measure up to this harder contest from the inside draw. SNEAKY CHANCE THAMES ( Race 1 , No. 7): Has improved with racing, winning her last two in strong fashion.
She’s up in class but drawn to have every chance with Jamie Kah aboard. EARLY QUADDIE 3, 6, 7, 8/2, 5, 10, 11, 14/1, 3, 9, 12/1, 4 $100 flexi for 62.5 per cent BIG6 1, 3, 9, 12/1, 4/1, 4, 5, 11/2, 5/1, 8, 12, 13/1, 5 $100 flexi for 11.
5 per cent QUADDIE Race 5 : 1, 4, 5, 11 Race 6 : 1, 2, 4, 5 Race 7 : 1, 8, 12, 13 Race 8 : 1, 5 $100 flexi for 78 per cent RACE 1: 6:15PM MSC SIGNS VOBIS SILVER HANDICAP (1200m) Night racing resumes at The Valley and a strong three-year-old race opens proceedings. STANLEY EXPRESS (2) showed outstanding ability to win a $1 million race on debut and has trialled well leading up to this. THAMES (7) is getting better with racing and gets in on the limit weight.
STOLI BOLLI (6) didn’t have the best of luck in Stakes grade last time and can improve. GALLANT SON (8) was a dominant debut winner and coul.
