Australia: Trekking comes back quick in Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley

Less than a week after a fourth-place finish in the $10.7 million Everest Stakes at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia, last Saturday, Trekking runs in Friday’s Group 1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne, attempting to win his third Grade 1 in the last 17 months.

A familiar rival poses a major threat.

Pippie, a 5-year-old Australian-bred mare, beat Trekking by three-quarters of a length in the Group 1 Moir Stakes at six furlongs at Moonee Valley on Sept. 25. Trekking closed from ninth in a field of 12 to finish second.

Pippie did not start in the Everest Stakes and has not raced since the Moir. A quick mare, who often sets the pace, Pippie won the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield at 5 1/2 furlongs in February against 17 rivals.

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The $713,000 Manikato Stakes at six furlongs will have a maximum field of 11.

The field includes Hey Doc, who won the 2017 Manikato but was eighth in the Moir; Bella Vella, who was third in the Moir ending a four-race winning streak; and Lyre, who was third in the 2018 Manikato.

Trekking, a 6-year-old Australian-bred gelding by Street Cry, has won 10 of 31 starts for Godolphin Racing and trainer James Cummings. A closer, Trekking is winless in three starts since a victory by a nose over Gytrash in the Group 1 Goodwood Stakes at six furlongs at Morphettville in May. Gytrash was third in the Everest, but does not start in the Manikato.

The runner-up finish in the Moir is Trekking’s best result in three starts at Moonee Valley. In the Everest, Trekking finished three lengths behind race winner Classique Legend.

The Manikato Stakes is the Group 1 debut for Dirty Work, who was fourth behind Classique Legend in the Group 2 The Shorts Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs at Randwick on Sept. 19 and won the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs at Caulfield Racecourse on Oct. 10.

The Schillaci is Dirty Work’s most prestigious win among five wins in 16 starts. A 4-year-old colt, Dirty Work could be a danger as a stalker with first jump on the pacesetters compared to a closer such as Trekking.