Barrier luck favours Vega for Manikato

VEGA Magic is a clear favourite to win his third Group 1 this year against quality opposition in the $1 million Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley.

A field of 11 has been declared for Friday night’s feature sprint, including 2015 winner Chautauqua, in-form NSW mare In Her Time and equal track record holder Malaguerra.

Winner of the Goodwood and Memsie Stakes, and laststart runner-up in the $10 million The Everest, Vega Magic is at $2.25 after drawing favourably in barrier three.

“He was unlucky in The Everest, just from the wide barrier,” co-trainer Ben Hayes said.

“The way he pulled up, we’re thrilled with him.”

The Ben Smith-trained In Her Time is striving to break through at the elite level and had her first look around the Moonee Valley in a solo gallop yesterday.

Jockey Corey Brown was “rapt” with the work.

“She apparently played up a little bit in the stalls and Ben was a bit iffy about working her,” Brown said.

“But she galloped really, really well. She got on her right leg and she’s just a lovely horse.

“She’s in the right frame of mind and she’s going well.

“She had no troubles at all with the track.”

In Her Time, winner of The Everest Consolation, is second favourite at $5.50 and Brown is excited about her chances.