CHAIRMAN’S Welcome It brings me great joy to welcome you to Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Night as we raise the curtain on 18 races across an unmissable 24 hours of elite racing and entertainment. The 2022 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Carnival over the next two days is a significant celebration for the Club as we not only welcome you back to The Valley, but we also celebrate the Centenary of our signature race, the W.S. Cox Plate. It has been three years since The Valley has been all dressed up – and what a special occasion it is to do so again. With tens of thousands of racegoers coming through the gates over the next two days, it will be fantastic to see everybody enjoying the various dining and hospitality packages, hear the roars from the grandstands, and feel the waves of emotion trackside. Tonight’s Group 1 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes sees 14 of the country’s best sprinters line up to do battle for the $2m prizemoney over 1200m. Maher-Eustace have a very strong hand with Coolangatta and Bella Nipotina primed to be fighting out another Group 1 at The Valley after going one-two in the Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes last month. The field runs deep though and with Rothfire, Paulele, and Best of Bordeaux lining up, it is sure to be another dramatic edition. The legendary Manikato was a true champion of the turf and an iconic star of The Valley – winning the William Reid Stakes every year from 1979 – 1983. In each of his wins, he was ridden by Gary Willets and was always first up from a spell – in fact, he never lost any of his ten first up attempts. With an honour roll of some of Australia’s greatest ever sprinters, we look forward to seeing who will add their name and take out this year’s edition of the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes. What is to unfold will be nothing short of incredible as we witness the superstars of Australian horse racing put on a show. To the owners, trainers, and riders engaged over the Carnival, I wish you all the very best. Thank you for attending The Valley tonight for the first day of our 2022 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Carnival and have a fantastic time. Moonee Valley Racing Club respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of this land, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, and pay our respects to its Elders past, present and emerging. DON CASBOULT CHAIRMAN
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODA1NTI=