Queen Of The Turf Stakes

Winners and Past Results

The Queen of the Turf Stakes, hosted by the Australian Turf Club is held on one of the biggest race days during the Sydney autumn racing carnival. It shares the day with four other Group 1 events on Golden Slipper Stakes Day at the Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney. The BMW and the Storm Queen Stakes are also run on this day. Free $200 Bet That Can't Lose

Restricted to fillies and mares, this 1500 metre race is held under weight for age conditions and offers $400,000 in prize money. The race is considered to be a display of speed, elegance and strength and attracts quality gallopers hoping to enhance their performance over the mile and other middle distance races during the carnival. Victory is usually earned by the most dominating three year old fillies that have performed well over the last season, with the conditions suiting higher quality gallopers.

The Queen of the Turf Stakes was established in 1972 and run over 8 furlongs, as a principal race. In 1979 it was made a Listed race, and received Group 3 status in 1985. In 1991 it was upgraded to Group 2 and finally gained its present status as a Group 1 event in 2004. The race has been held at the Rosehill track since its inception except for 2008 where it was held at Canterbury Racecourse. In 1972, Refulgence won the event with a time of 1 minute 30 seconds, which was broken in 1993 by Excited Angle who clocked 1 minute 27.46 seconds. The slowest time is credited to 1990 winner Memphis Blues who crossed the winning post in 1 minute 34.15 seconds.

The event considered to be the ideal lead up to this race is the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Classic, run a fortnight before over the same distance at the same track. The only difference being the Group 1 Coolmore Stud is run under handicap conditions, while the Queen of the Turf is under weight for age conditions. The last horse to win the Coolmore Stud Classic and the Queen of the Turf Stakes double was Camino Rose in 1999.

Most horses go on from here to compete in the Group 1 Doncaster Handicap, which is held two weeks later at the same course. More Joyous in 2011 won this event after winning the 1500 meter Group 2 Canterbury Stakes, held at Rosehill Garden Racecourse. Later, she was unplaced in the Doncaster Handicap. Runner up in 2011, Melito came in from placing third in the Coolmore Classic, and went on to finish fourth in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes. Happy Hippy who placed third here in 2011, came in after finishing fourth in the Coolmore Classic, and went on to finish tenth in the Doncaster Handicap.

Some of the notable winners include C'est Si Bon in 1982, Memphis Blues in 1990, Sorrento in 2001, and Typhoon Tracy in 2010.

2011 Queen Of The Turf Stakes

Hot favourite More Joyous confirmed her brilliance, starting well and settling into second behind Montana Flyer who set a scorching pace in the early stages. As the front-runner flagged, More Joyous took control in the straight and raced away with it, finishing three lengths clear of Melito with Happy Hippy surprising many by taking third.

2011 Queen Of The Turf Stakes result

1. More Joyous
2. Melito
3. Happy Hippy

Then came:

4. Palacio De Cristal
5. Montana Flyer
6. Jersey Lily
7. Set For Fame