The Manikato Stakes is a Moonee Valley Racing Club Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged three years old and over under Weight for age conditions, over a distance of 1200 metres. It is held at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia in late October. Total prize money for the race is A$2,000,000 History The race is named after the great race horse Manikato, who won this race twice as well as winning 5 consecutive William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley from 1979 to 1983. In 2009 the event was part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series with the winner of the Manikato Stakes automatically qualifying for a berth in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint in the United States. From 2012, the race date was moved to Cox Plate Carnival Friday night in late October. While the race is a sprinter's race there are 4 winners who have won the prestigious W. S. Cox Plate: Strawberry Road (1983), Rubiton (1987), Dane Ripper (1997) and Sunline (2000). Distance 1968–1971 - 6 furlongs (~1200 metres) 1972 onwards - 1200 metres Grade 1968–1978 - Principal race 1979–1988 - Group 2 race 1989 onwards - Group 1 race Name 1968–1983 - Freeway Stakes 1984 onwards - Manikato Stakes Record Time: Track record for the 1200 metres at Moonee Valley is 1:08.76 set by Hey Doc in this race in 2020. Winners 2022 - Bella Nipotina 2021 - Jonker 2020 - Hey Doc 2019 - Loving Gaby 2018 - Brave Smash 2017 - Hey Doc 2016 - Rebel Dane 2015 - Chautauqua 2014 - Lankan Rupee 2013 - Buffering 2012 - Sea Siren 2011 - Sepoy 2010 - Hay List 2009 - Danleigh 2008 - Typhoon Zed 2007 - Gold Edition 2006 - Miss Andretti 2005 - Spark Of Life 2004 - Spark Of Life 2003 - Spinning Hill 2002 - Spinning Hill 2001 - Piavonic 2000 - Sunline 1999 - Redoute's Choice 1998 - Dane Ripper 1997 - Spartacus 1996 - Poetic King 1995 - You Remember 1994 - Spanish Mix 1993 - Never Undercharge 1992 - King Marauding 1991 - Sonic Express 1990 - Street Ruffian 1989 - Our Westminster 1988 - Rancho Ruler 1987 - Rubiton 1986 - Lockley's Tradition 1985 - Touch Of Genius 1984 - Vite Cheval 1983 - Strawberry Road 1982 - Manikato 1981 - Silver Bounty 1980 - Grey Sapphire 1979 - Manikato 1978 - Vice Regal