Payline chasing 2025 Manikato Stakes success
Father-and-son team Chris and Corey Munce are banking on Payline to deliver them a coveted Group 1 when he contests the Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
The gelding ran an eye-catching fifth in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at the same track earlier this month, flashing home late from the back in what was a fast-run race. He again meets Baraqiel, Alabama Lass, Rothfire, Skybird and Sir Sway, with Magic Time, Lady Shenandoah, Charm Stone and Ameena joining the field.
Corey Munce said Payline’s Moir effort showed he was up to the class.
“It was an outstanding effort in a high-pressure race at this track over that distance,” he said.
“Ideally you need to be handier than what his normal racing pattern is, but he overcame that obstacle and to be beaten a length-and-a-half, first-up in a Group 1, we were really happy.”
After another look around Moonee Valley on Monday, Munce believes the rise to 1200m and the small field size will play to his horse’s strengths.
The stable also decided against blinkers for Friday despite trying him in the gear last week.
“We worked him in blinkers last week and we elected to leave them off in his work on Monday just to see whether he had taken that step,” Munce said.
“Justin Huxtable, who rode him in the Moir, was on him, and he was happy.
“There was give in the track and while he wasn’t out to break any records, it was more about getting him to the track and getting the adrenaline going.
“He has worn blinkers in a race before and we put them on him sometimes in his work as he can be quite casual.
“He can work the house down, but as he’s getting a bit older, he’s starting to work it all out and he doesn’t have to overdo it in the morning.
“I think if we have some luck in running and his momentum is not stopped, he’ll run well.”
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