Estriella looms large as a Group 1 Manikato Stakes in Friday night blockbuster

There is a three-way go for favouritism in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) on Friday night but a potential sleeper looms large as a contender.

Estriella looms as a potential sleeper in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) on Friday night.

The electric mare, strongly fancied first-up in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) before she finished fourth, has improved markedly since, fitness and condition wise, to threaten at The Valley under lights.

Ciaron Maher-trained Estriella has shortened from $8.50 into $6.50 the past 24 hours with Ladbrokes to challenge the top three in betting — I Wish I Win ($5), Growing Empire ($5) and Hayasugi ($5.50).

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Estriella covered ground in the Moir, racing outside third-placed Lady Of Camelot behind winner Mornington Glory, but stuck on late only to be denied a place on the post as Hayasugi flashed into second.

Assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said the Moir had brought on Estriella.

“She’s really cleaned up (in the coat) from that run, anyone that saw her in the yard will see that improvement,” Turnbull said.

“She’s had that hit out, those jumpouts she travelled on the bit and wasn’t let off, and maybe she just needed that really good blow to come on.

“She’s a very exciting sprinter, I have her up high with our best horses … (she) has got a big future in front of her.”

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Turnbull said barrier 10 afforded options to champion jockey Blake Shinn.

“She can do anything … she’s got a superb turn of foot,” Turnbull said.

“It will be dictated by how she begins, she’s a very fast horse and one of her best attributes is gate speed.

“I don’t think it’s the end of the world (barrier 10), you look at the race and where the speed is, they’ve all drawn wide.

“Hayasugi has drawn low, she gets back. It’s going to be interesting.”

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Maher has four of the 13 starters set to clash in the $2m blockbuster, including Recommendation ($12) and Southport Tycoon ($20).

“Two stallions (Growing Empire and Southport Tycoon), a very in-form gelding (Recommendation), and a mare (Estriella) trying to make for The Everest,” Turnbull said.

“I hope they dead-heat for first being from the stable, each one of them, if they could put their hand up, would be fantastic for the stable.”

Maher has won the Manikato twice with Bella Nipotina (2022) and the most recent three-year-old winner, Loving Gaby (2019).

Originally published as Estriella looms large as a Group 1 Manikato Stakes in Friday night blockbuster