The underrated mare Charm Stone delivered a stunning upset under the lights at The Valley on Friday night, securing her second Group 1 victory with a brilliant two-length demolition of track specialist Baraqiel in the 2025 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes.

2025 Manikato Stakes winner Charm Stone secured her second Group 1 success in a stunning upset. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Going out as a hefty $31 outsider, the Robert Sangster Stakes-winning daughter of I Am Invincible was given a peach of a ride by birthday boy Blake Shinn to run her rivals ragged around the tight turns of Moonee Valley.

Co-trainer Mick Price, who trains the mare in partnership with Michael Kent Jnr, was thrilled with the result and the execution of the stable’s plan.

“It worked out good,” Price said.

“She can be a bit funny in the gates. Chain on, walk in, give her a pat. It worked out perfectly.

“There was a little bit of speed in front of her, Blake got off the fence at the right time. She’s a beautiful mare and it’s so great to see her win another Group 1.”

Making the most of her barrier two draw, the five-year-old mare settled just off the speed before quickly challenging on the outside.

She rounded the final bend fourth as Moir Stakes winner Baraqiel hit the front, but Charm Stone had plenty in the tank, surging through the middle to take the lead 100m out and finish two lengths clear in an enormous first-up performance.

Jockey Shinn celebrated his Group 1 win on his birthday, stating, “Pretty special day to be able to celebrate a Group 1. Wow, time-honored race the Manikato. It’s wonderful to be able to win it. Just seeing Gary Willetts there brings back a lot of memories. So, it’s great to be able to win it.”

He was also full of praise for the mare: “She was dominant. She pinged the lids, got a great trail, and got out at the turn. She put the race to bed; it was a phenomenal win.”

Baraqiel held on gamely for second, while the Grahame Begg-trained Magic Time chimed in late to run third.

Beaten favourite Lady Shenandoah finished fourth but lost few admirers ahead of her bid in The Everest.

Jockey James McDonald noted her interrupted run, saying, “She’s gone well, she just had a bit of an uninterrupted run throughout, it wasn’t smooth, she finished off well,” before her charge in the world’s richest turf race.

Lady Shenandoah is currently at $7 for The Everest through Ladbrokes, while the Manikato Stakes winner Charm Stone has now firmed from $34 to $26 and could appeal to the remaining slot holders.

Another Everest contender, Skybird, was disappointing, finishing second-last.

Jockey John Allen was perplexed by the performance of the Mitchell Freedman-trained mare: “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.”

Skybird is currently a $17 chance for The Everest.

2025 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Results

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