Manikato

Manikato
Sire	Manihi (AUS)
Grandsire	Matrice (AUS)
Dam	Markato (AUS)
Damsire	Natural Bid (USA)
Sex	Gelding
Foaled	2 September 1975
Country	Australia
Colour	Chestnut
Breeder	Mr R. Truscott, SA.
Owner	E.A.J.M. (Mal) Secull
Trainer	Bon Hoysted and Bob Hoysted
Record	47: 29-8-5
Earnings	$1,154,210
Major wins
1978 Blue Diamond Stakes 1978 Golden Slipper Stakes<br1978> Caulfield Guineas 1978 Invitation Stakes 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983 Futurity Stakes 1979 Rothm ans 100,000 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 William Reid Stakes 1980 George Ryder Stakes
Honours
Australian Racing Hall of Fame inductee (2002)
Horse (Equus ferus caballus)
Last updated on 31 August 2011

Manikato (1975–1984) was a champion Australian Thoroughbred racehorse of the late 1970s and early 1980s. He established new track records in three races and was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. Manikato was the second Australian horse, after Kingston Town, to win $1 million in stakes, and, by today's standards, won 11 races which were shortly afterwards classed as Group Ones (G1) races.

He was a tall, heavily topped chestnut gelding by the VRC Newmarket Handicap winner Manihi from Markato by Natural Bid (USA).^[1] Markato was the dam of eight named foals, but Manikato was her only stakes-winner. Costing only A$3,500, Manikato had a double cross of Fair Trial in the fourth generation (4m x 4f) and was a descendant of Nearco through his dam.

Racing career

He was originally trained by Bon Hoysted who died soon after Manikato's 1978 Golden Slipper victory. His brother Bob Hoysted took over his training subsequently.

At two years

As a two-year-old, Manikato won the Blue Diamond Stakes and Golden Slipper Stakes double.

At three years

Manikato won eight races and was second three times out of twelve starts. He finished second three times, including one to champion stayer, Dulcify, in the Australian Cup over 2,000 metres.

Manikato commenced the season with a win in the Ascot Vale Stakes in record time. Three weeks later he started against older horses in the Marlboro Cup which he also won. In the Caulfield Guineas Manikato defeated Karaman by about two lengths after a protest against him was dismissed, but his jockey Gary Willetts was suspended. He then started in the Craven A Stakes (now known as the Salinger Stakes) but had a slight rise in temperature on the day of the race. Manikato was defeated in this race by Always Welcome by the margin of a neck. After being spelled Manikato won his the first of his five victories in the William Reid Stakes on 29 January 1979. The C F Orr Stakes at Sandown was Manikato’s next start and another victory. His win the Futurity Stakes was the first of four wins that he had in this race. Manikato next started in the George Ryder Stakes and won it by six lengths in record time with Joyita finishing second. A week later Manikato started as a 3yo in the Doncaster Handicap carrying 57.5kg. He was challenged for the lead throughout the race and dead heated for third place. A new Australian record was set for the 1,600 metres race. In early July 1979 Manikato was taken to Brisbane for the Rothmans 100,000 (now known by its original name of the Doomben 10,000). Carrying a 3yo weight record of 58kg he equalled Baguette’s weight carrying record and became the first 3yo to win over $500,000 in prizemoney.

At four years

Five weeks later Manikato started his 4yo season with the first of two wins in the Freeway Stakes. On 24 September 1981 he finished second in the Marlboro Cup over 1,400 metres after he struck himself and was galloped on during the running of the race. He won William Reid Stakes and Futurity Stakes. In Sydney Manikato won the G1 George Ryder Stakes. Two weeks later he started in the AJC Galaxy Stakes with 60.5kg and finished in 8th position. After the race he was found to have suffered a bleeding attack and a heart attack.

At five years

In 1981 Manikato won the William Reid Stakes, Futurity Stakes and Orr Stakes again. In the autumn Manikato had to overcome serious adversity again when he damaged his suspensory tendons. After every race, Bon wrapped the horse's legs with plastic shopping bags filled with ice, to reduce inflammation. After a spell Manikato resumed racing at Sandown with a win on 1 September 1981 in a handicap in carrying 63.5kg. Two weeks later he lined up in the Marlboro Cup with 60.5kg finishing second to Soldier of Fortune to whom he conceded 8 kg. On 29 September 1981 Manikato started in the Queen Elizabeth Cup run in honour of the Queen’s attendance at the Caulfield meeting. Manikato won from Lawman with Sovereign Red in third place and equalled the course record of 1:35.7. His next start was in the Chirnside Stakes where he finished second.

After a spell Manikato returned to again win the William Reid Stakes. Four weeks later on 24 February 1982 Manikato contested his fourth consecutive Futurity Stakes but finished second this time. In the Canterbury Stakes at Sydney two weeks later Manikato defeated Opera Prince and Ubetido. He then finished third in the All Aged Stakes before being spelled for 18 weeks.

At six years

During 1982/3 season Manikato had 11 starts for five wins including the Freeway Stakes, Futurity Stakes, A J Moir Stakes, William Reid Stakes and Memsie Stakes.

He had 47 starts for 29 wins, 9 seconds and 4 thirds, including five successive William Reid Stakes and four Futurity Stakes winning 11 Group 1 races in all for $1,154,210.

After retiring

After retiring from racing in 1983, Manikato was plagued by a virus which he could not shake off. He was humanely euthanized on 13 February 1984. He is buried within sight of some of his greatest wins in "Manikato's Garden" at Moonee Valley Racecourse.

The Group 1 Manikato Stakes, named in his honour is contested annually at the Moonee Valley Racecourse. The Manikato Restaurant in the grandstand at Caulfield Racecourse is also named in his honour.

He was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2002.^[2]

See also

• List of leading Thoroughbred racehorses
• Millionaire Racehorses in Australia
• Repeat winners of horse races

References

1. ^ Manikato Retrieved on 28 April 2009
2. ^ "Manikato". Hall of Fame. Racing Victoria Limited. http://www.racingvictoria.net.au/p_Manikato.aspx. Retrieved 1 September 2011. 

• Profile of a Champion