Lady Shenandoah sizes up Moonee Valley ahead of 2025 Manikato Stakes
Chris Waller is confident Lady Shenandoah is ready to shine on her Melbourne debut when she tackles the $2 million Group 1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
The four-year-old mare completed a quiet familiarisation gallop at the Valley on Monday morning, pleasing her trainer ahead of her first race in Victoria. “She had a good look around pre-work, so we didn’t do too much with her on the track and she did enough in herself to keep her stimulated,” Waller said.
Lady Shenandoah has raced exclusively right-handed until now, registering five wins from eight outings including Group 1 triumphs in the Flight Stakes, Surround Stakes, and Coolmore Classic. Waller has prepared her for the switch to racing left-handed with regular trackwork in that direction. “She’s been working Melbourne-way for weeks now and she’s adapted very well,” he said.
The mare caught the eye first-up in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m), where she rattled home late after being blocked for a run. “It was a big gamble dropping her back to 1000, but she acquitted herself really well. The 1200 will be much more suitable,” Waller added.
Lady Shenandoah is one of 13 entries for the Manikato Stakes, which has also attracted Moir Stakes winner Baraqiel, Magic Time, and Skybird. Friday’s program also features the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m), with last year’s winner Pride Of Jenni and Memsie Stakes star Treasurethe Moment among the contenders.
Punters can follow Lady Shenandoah’s progress and back her return through the latest markets at Australia’s premier betting sites.
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