Marasco for Manikato

West Australian star Marasco will attempt to break his Group One duck in the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley next Saturday.

Trainer Fred Kersley has found it almost impossible to place Marasco in Perth in recent times due to his high rating of 116.

"It has been very difficult to place him here in the west with his high rating and the Manikato fits the program for me really well," Kersley told perthracing.com.au.

Marasco's sole Moonee Valley appearance was in last year's Cox Plate where he failed to stay the 2040 metres and finished second last.

However the 1200 metres under weight-for-age conditions in the Manikato appears ideal.

Damien Oliver who is unbeaten in two rides aboard Marasco will renew his successful partnership on the six-year-old.

Oliver partnered Marasco in his 2006 Winterbottom and A J Scahill Stakes victories.

Marasco has won 12 of his 25 career starts, amassing stake earnings in excess of $1.2 million.

Kersley says he will keep Marasco to shorter distances this time around.