Charm Stone has delivered for a second time at racing’s highest level, upstaging two Everest slot runners to win the $2 million Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley.
One of the outsiders in the Group 1 weight-for-sprint, Charm Stone was given an economical run from jockey Blake Shinn before scoring a decisive win.
Shinn, who turned 38 on Friday, extricated Charm Stone from a pocket to follow Baraqiel into the race and the mare responded to put the issue beyond doubt inside the final furlong.
Sent out as a $31 chance, Charm Stone had two lengths to spare over Moir Stakes winner Baraqiel ($4.60) with Magic Time ($7.50) finishing third.
Left in her wake were favourite Lady Shenandoah ($2.35) and Skybird ($11), two mares who have been locked away for slots in the $20 million Everest at Randwick on October 18.
Lady Shenandoah was forced to make a wide run from beyond midfield before finishing fourth while Skybird was never a realistic chance in winding up more than seven lengths from the winner in beating one runner home.
Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr, Charm Stone was overlooked in Manikato discussions on the basis she has been out of sight, out of mind for the early part of the spring.
The five-year-old daughter of super sire I Am Invincible hadn't raced since finishing down the course in the Group 1 Goodwood at Morphettville in May.
That disappointment came after she confirmed her brilliance with a first-up win in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes.
Manikato Stakes | Charm Stone
— Racing.com (@Racing) September 26, 2025
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
“She's a mare and she needs the edge on her … she's not a mare that I'd back up, put it that way,” Price said.
Price said analysis of Charm Stone’s trackwork convinced him the mare would run well, 48 hours after a 10 per cent share in his stable star sold online to Yulong for $310,000.
“She hasn't put a foot wrong … we've had the data and my data friend, Michael Kent Jr, he's got the data, he's the data perv.”
Shinn said the Manikato fell into place for him after Charm Stone began well from an inside barrier to take up a forward position.
“When she landed there, after a 100 metres the race was set up," he said.
“So, it was just a matter of trying to get off the rail. We did that and she just quickened really well.”
In contrast, Lady Shenandoah’s jockey James McDonald said the mare wasn't disgraced despite missing a top-three finish for the first time in a nine-start career.
“She's gone well, she just had a bit of an interrupted run throughout. It wasn’t smooth, she finished off well,” McDonald said.
