Spring Champion Stakes

Winners and Past Results for the Spring Champion Stakes

One of the premier Group 1 races for three year olds hosted by the Australian Turf Club during the spring racing carnival is the Spring Champion Stakes.

For the Spring Champion Stakes, horses trek 2000 metres of the Randwick track in October for a chance to earn a purse worth $400,000. The colts and geldings carrying 56.5 kilograms and fillies at 54.5 kilograms.

Above average stayers have the opportunity to make amends in this set weight race that is held alongside other Group 1 races including the Epsom Handicap, Flight Stakes, and The Metropolitan. Quality runners may fancy their chances after a run in the Group 2 Gloaming Stakes at Rosehill Racecourse, an event which has proved a steady form guide over the years.

The Spring Champion Stakes has been hosted by the ATC since 1971 with a promotion from a principal race to Group 1 coming in 1979. Prior to 1978, it was held during the autumn racing carnival as the Australasian Champion Stakes.

Jockey R. Quinton made winning a habit and steered 4 horses to victory in the Spring Champion Stakes between 1973 and 1985. While Sir Dapper, Stylish Century, Danewin, Tie The Knot and Dignity Dancer were some of the notable stayers to win in the 1990s, Savabeel in 2004 is among the outstanding gallopers to do so in recent times.

The time of 2 minutes and 0.4 seconds set by Dignity Dancer remains unbroken.

New Zealand galloper It's A Dundeel extended his unbeaten run with a thrilling win, prevailing over hot favourite Proisir. The two were slow starters, with Proisir settling fifth and It's A Dundeel just in behind, but with a field of only seven starters they weren't far from the action. On the turn, It's A Dundeel swept around the field and appeared to have impeded Proisir's progress but the favourite jumped into the lead and looked like he'd go on to win. However, It's A Dundeel rallied with 100 to go and went past Proisir to win by a neck. This really was a two horse race, as third place-getter Honorius finished five lengths back.

2012 Spring Champion Stakes result

1. It's A Dundeel
2. Proisir
3. Honorius

Then came:

4. Lunar Rise
5. Bradman
6. Laser Flash
7. King Of Olympia