Charm Stone lands 2025 Manikato Stakes knock-out
Charm Stone confirmed her standing as one of the country’s most valuable mares with a commanding win in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.
First-up since her Group 1 Sangster Stakes success, the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained galloper was brilliantly handled by Blake Shinn, who guided her into the clear before she powered home to beat Baraqiel and Magic Time. “She’s a beautiful mare and to see her win another Group 1 is just fantastic,” Price said.
Shinn, who turned in a masterful ride from barrier two, said the mare’s performance was emphatic. “She pinged the gates, travelled sweetly and when I asked her, she put the race to bed in a few strides,” he said. “She deserves every accolade.”
Price admitted the team had learned valuable lessons from her disappointing effort in The Goodwood earlier this year. “She’s not a mare to back up, so this prep we’ve just trained her at home and she hasn’t put a foot wrong.”
Charm Stone’s ownership group had already seen her valued at $3.1 million after a share sale this week, but her latest triumph has made her one of the hottest broodmare prospects in the country.
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