Stable confidence high ahead of Friday night's Group 1 at The Valley

Swats That in Manikato 'up to her ears'

Damien Oliver and Swats That will again have to contend with a wide barrier draw in Friday night's $1 million Group 1 Ladbroke Manikato Stakes (1200m) after once again drawing wide in gate 12.The duo lost no admirers after enduring a tough run first-up at The Valley in the Moir Stakes, where she was beaten 3.5 lengths into eighth placing."I think she still did a really good job to travel like she did and do the work that she did, I thought she boxed on really well," explained Troy Corstens, who trains in partnership with his father Leon."That run has really brought her on too."Corstens says a good run on Friday night could see Swats That continue on to the Darley Sprint Classic on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival."We were open when we were coming into the spring but obviously it sits out quite nicely this race and I think it fits in really well with her program," Corstens said."As long as she's back to her best, which we think that she is, I think she's right in it up to her ears."I'm not hopeful, I think she will run a good race."<div class="article-widget article-widget-horse" ng-class="{'loading':loading}" ng-controller="articleHorseWidgetController" ng-init="init(5259110, true);"><articlewidget type="horsecard"></articlewidget></div>This time last year Swats That passed up a slot offer in The Everest after back-to-back wins in the Champagne and Thoroughbred Club Stakes, before finishing second to September Run in the Coolmore Stud Stakes.Corstens kept Swats That away from The Valley on Tuesday morning at Breakfast with the Best, opting to give her a serious hit-out at Flemington.Oliver will be looking to ride his third Manikato Stakes winner, with his most recent success in The Valley sprint coming back in 1998 aboard Dane Riper."She had a tough run from a wide draw the other day but looks to have trained on nicely since and I'm happy with the way she's going," Oliver said."It looks an open race ... hopefully she can get her best chance."Oliver will also partner the stable's three hopefuls on Cox Plate Day, including Idris in the Inglis Banner, Blue Sapphire winner Ranting and New York Baby in the Crockett Stakes.Swats That is a $20 chance with Sporstbet in the Manikato Stakes.

Swats That in Manikato 'up to her ears' | The Valley