Red Element gains Manikato start

The highly fancied Red Element has gained a start in Saturday's G1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley following the scratching of Victorian sprinter Dr Nipantuck.

Connections of Dr Nipandtuck, third in this race last year but rated a $101 chance prior to his withdrawal, have elected to instead take their six-year-old start north to Sydney for the G2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m).

Bookmakers reacted swiftly to the news by making Red Element, to be ridden by Brad Rawiller, a co-favourite with Moonee Valley specialist Kaphero, winding his odds in from $6 to $4.60 (TAB Sportsbet).

The scratching has given master trainer David Hayes an even stronger hand in the Manikato.

Hayes will also saddle up star three-year-old All American ($6.50), who takes on the older horses for the first time.