Emirates Stakes
Betting on the Emirates Stakes:
Flemington Racecourse
Emirates Stakes Race Odds: Sportsbet | IASbet | Centrebet
The Emirates Stakes is the richest 1600-metre race in Victoria and it also is the most prestigious mile race at the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. This race is held annually at the Flemington Racecourse every November under handicap conditions and it had a 2009 prize pool of above $1,000,000.
The race is part of the last day of the four-day Flemington Spring Racing Carnival and it is also the last Group 1 race for the said carnival. It is held seven days after the AAMI Victoria Derby day, four days after Melbourne Cup day and two days after the Crown Oaks day.
Before 1961, this race was called the Cantala Stakes. From 1961 to 1984, it was then called the George Adams Handicap. From 1985-1988, it was renamed as the Ampol Stakes and from 1989-1992, it was named the Honda Stakes. From 1993-1995, it was called the Nissan Stakes and it was known as the Chrysler Stakes from 1996-1997.
The Emirates Stakes day signifies the end of the week-long Flemington Spring Racing Carnival and it is known as family day for racing and entertainment activities are lined up for the young and old alike. The other races that are staged during Emirates Stakes day are the 1200-meter, Group 1 weight-for -age Patinack Farm Classic, the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes and the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Being one of the richest mile events during the horse racing season, the Emirates Stakes is now worth above $1,000,000. Aside from the improvement in the prize money, the race conditions itself were improved to make it a more attractive race to international trainers to bring in their Melbourne Cup aspirants.
Some of the quality horses that have won this race include Better Loosen Up in 1989, Shaftesbury Avenue in 1990 and Testa Rossa in 2000. The usual lead-up races for the Emirates Stakes are the Chatham Stakes on Derby Day, the Crystal Mile on Cox Plate Day and the Toorak Handicap on Caulfield Guineas Day.
In 2009, All American finished third at the Crystal Mile before winning the Emirates Stakes. Coming into the straight, he overcame a bad position in the midfield to blow past So You Think in impressive fashion at the 300 metre mark. So You Think clung to the second spot while Gold Salute finished third.
Emirates Stakes Recent History
|
Year |
Winner |
2nd |
3rd |
Time |
|
2009 |
All American |
So You Think |
Gold Salute |
1:33.9 |
|
2008 |
All Silent |
Sea Battle |
Mimi Lebrock |
1:35.8 |
|
2007 |
Tears I Cry |
Bird Dancer |
Shinzig |
1:35.2 |
|
2006 |
Divine Madonna |
Niconero |
Valedictum |
1:35.5 |
|
2005 |
Valedictum |
Infinite Grace |
Shania Dane |
1:34.9 |
