Outsider Charm Stone picked up the Group 1 Manikato Stakes- here is what the beaten brigade had to say.
Nash Rawiller (Rothfire): “He tried his backside off to be honest, but I just think the ground wasn’t right for him tonight. He still tries, but he just didn’t stretch like he normally does. We’ll try and find a softer track for him and go again. He felt good pulling up.”
Ben Allen (Baraqiel): “I thought he was tough. When Alabama Lass kind of dropped off, he didn’t really normally pick up into the bend and kick off the corner. I was beaten at the top of the straight, but I thought he was very, very tough to the line. The winner was very good, but I don’t think he was at his best today.”
Justin Huxtable (Payline): “I thought he was honest in defeat. He was up on the bridle travelling nice and strong for me but I never really got his legs into his standard comfortable rhythm that he can be in. I think maybe in this grade, he’s probably looking for a bigger track to excel his best on.”
Lachlan Neindorf (Sir Sway): “First up I gave him a squeeze out the gates and he was like, around the track, didn’t know where he was. Today I gave him a squeeze to hold the back of Baraqiel and get the one-one and he just wanted to overdo it too much in the early stages.”
Michael Dee (Magic Time): “As honest as ever, she’s going super this prep and she’ll definitely continue on with it in her next few runs.”
James McDonald (Lady Shenandoah): “She’s gone well, she just had a bit of an interrupted run throughout, it wasn’t smooth, she finished off well.”
John Allen (Skybird): “Disappointing. A little bit sluggish into gear, but once the race went on from the 600, she was struggling and never travelled that well, which is unlike her.”
Craig Williams (Alabama Lass): “I’m quite concerned about her health, the way she she felt in the run, the way she pulled up. So we’ll see how she recovers from the run.”
Mark Zahra (Ameena): “Yep, ran an honest race.”
Manikato Stakes | Charm Stone
What a mare 🎉 A brilliant finish gives @MickPriceRacing’s star her second Group 1, guided by @blake_shinn 💎
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a034ry pic.twitter.com/vXg6bjijo9— Racing.com (@Racing) September 26, 2025
