Geoffrey Belmaine Stakes

Winners and Past Results. See Hyderabad RC Stakes

Melbourne Racing Club hosts the Geoffrey Belmaine Stakes every year at the Caulfield race track in Melbourne in February. Free $250 Bet That Can't Lose

The Group 3 race is held under set weight plus penalty conditions for fillies and mares three years old onwards. Horses compete over 1200 metres and for a chance to win $125,000 in prize money. The race usually favours the above average sprinter who can take advantage of the set weight conditions. The race has also been known as the Hyderabad Stakes, and MRC Hyderabad Plate.

Super Sequel was the first to win the title in 2000. It remained a Listed Race until 2007 when it was elevated to Group 3.

The Geoffrey Belmaine Stakes is scheduled on the same day as the Group 1 C. F. Orr Stakes during the Melbourne autumn racing carnival. Other major races of the day include the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude, the Rubiton Stakes, and the Group 2 Autumn Stakes, among others. Horses that perform well in the event may fancy an outing in the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes held at the same track later in the month on the Blue Diamond Stakes day. Some fillies and mares may make their way to the Geoffrey Belmaine Stakes from the Group 2 Australia Stakes held earlier during the autumn carnival. Another good form guide is the Listed Doveton Stakes also held earlier in Melbourne during the autumn racing carnival.

Although the Geoffrey Belmaine Stakes hasn't attracted the cream of sprinters, many of the runners ought to be followed closely during the season. The 2011 champion, Beaded, came into the race after a spell. In her next outing she finished third in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington Racecourse over the same distance, putting up a spirited fight against the likes of Black Caviar. Beaded then went on to finish runner up in the Group 1 Sportingbet Classic at Morphettville and then made a great comeback to win the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 later in May. Runner up in the 2011 Geoffrey Belmaine Stakes, Varenna Miss came into the race after a victory in the Glen Eira Handicap over a distance of 1200 M and later finished fourth in the Group 1 Sportingbet Oakleigh Plate also at Caulfield. Winner in 2010, Velocitea, came in from a spell and won the Listed JRA Stakes over 1200 M at Caulfield prior to finishing runner up in the Group 1 Sportingbet Classic at Morphettville Racecourse.

2011 Geoffrey Belmaine Stakes

This event for mares was also the first race after a spell for Beaded, who overcame a wide draw to charge home in resounding fashion and score an emphatic win. Little separated the next two, with Varenna Miss edging out third place-getter Das Machen.

2011 Geoffrey Belmaine Stakes result

1. Beaded
2. Varenna Miss
3. Das Machen

Then came:

4. Simply Put
5. Two Hills
6. Perfect Hostess
7. Status Symbol
8. Mid Summer Music
9. Impressive Eagle
10. Mont Fleuri
11. So Anyway
12. Dane Julia
13. Small Minds
14. Lady Gaga
15. Pins On Ice
16. La Bella Roo