Moonee Valley witnessed a sensational upset on Friday under the lights with the Ciaron Maher-trained Southport Tycoon securing a thrilling final stride success over his stablemate Growing Empire in the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes 2024.

The $2 million Group 1 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (1200m) looked like it would go the way of the punters with the Craig Williams-ridden Zoustar colt Growing Empire getting to the front on the short straight and racing off.

However, rival jockey Mark Zahra orchestrated a masterful ride, coming off the fence on the autumn’s Australian Guineas winner Southport Tycoon to unleash a powerful late surge in the final 50 meters.

Zahra’s perfectly timed manoeuvre saw Written Tycoon four-year-old Southport Tycoon ($21) get the job done by a short-half head second-up, leaving the heavily backed Growing Empire ($3.80F) in second.

Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman‘s The Everest-bound I Wish I Win ($5) finished a respectable third, rounding out the trifecta, having had to do plenty of work from his wide draw.

Trainer Maher was happy with both of his runners, quick to acknowledge three-year-old Growing Empire’s future potential this prep and the tenacity of his eventual Manikato winner.

“They would have ran some really slick times early, and to be there, like, he (Growing Empire) looked a winner all the way down the straight, he’s just been collared late,” Maher told Racing.com.

“Serious, serious colt, he’s got a massive lot of upside.

“Craig said he just, with the shades on, he just sort of might have thought the job was maybe, you know, but, you know, phenomenal, you know, for both colts, really.

“Growing Empire, I thought, huge was our better seed. But, you know, that toughness, that race toughness showed there late.”

Southport Tycoon’s victory was an improved performance off his resuming fifth to Joliestar – subsequently chosen by Chris Waller to fill his slot in the $20 million The Everest race at Randwick on October 19 – in the Group 3 Show County Quality.

The Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes results have impacted the line-up of potential The Everest contenders.

While Growing Empire suffered a late defeat, he remains in the mix to secure a start in the 12-horse field, moving to second favourite in all-in The Everest betting at Ladbrokes.

I Wish I Win, who finished third in the Manikato Stakes, is a confirmed runner for Trackside Media in The Everest 2024 and remains the $5 race favourite in pre-field markets.

2024 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Results

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

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