St George Stakes

Winners and Past Results for the St George Stakes

Held under the aegis of the Melbourne Racing Club, the St. George Stakes is a Group 2 weight for age race held at the end of February at the beginning of the autumn racing carnival.

The 1800 metre race is held at Caulfield Racecourse on Blue Diamond Stakes day. Other features on the day's card include the Group 1 Futurity Stakes and Oakleigh Plate. Horses compete over 1800 metres of the Caulfield circuit for prize money worth $220,000. The race attracts a number of promising milers that seek to improve the staying ability with an eye on the Group 1 Australian Cup at Flemington Racecourse in March.

Horses may contest in a number of mile and long distance group races prior to entering the St. George Stakes. The Group 1 CF Orr Stakes held earlier during the carnival is among the lead up events in the weight for age group, which horses may tackle prior to the St. George Stakes.

The Group 1 Australian Cup held at Flemington on Super Saturday may be next on the cards for in form gallopers although top placegetters in the St. George Stakes have not fared well in the Australian Cup in recent times. However, some of the earlier topliners including Vo Rogue, Let's Elope, Durbridge, Dane Ripper, Istidaad, and in recent times Northerly in 2002-03, Theseo in 2003, Lonhro in 2004, and Pompeii Ruler in 2007, continued their fine form to win the Australian Cup as well.

Since the first St. George Stakes in 1900 several horses have won consecutive titles which include Comic Court, Lord, Dhaulagiri, Rain Lover, Vo Rogue, Durbridge, and Northerly being the last to achieve the feat. Among the outstanding talent is the mighty Phar Lap who also won way back in 1931. The race has enjoyed Group 2 status since 1979.

2013 St. George Stakes

Budriguez showed early speed and opened up a two length margin ahead of Prairie Star and Invest as the field settled. At the other end of the field, Foreteller and Mr Moet bowled along as the leaders switched off and slowed right down. The lack of pace saw the field bunch up and Foreteller made a nice run along the rails as they rounded the turn, with Budriguez still showing the way. With 200 to go, Foreteller grabbed the lead from Budriguez and powered home along the fence, going on to win from Mr Moet, who flashed home down the outside, with Budriguez holding on for third place.

2013 St. George Stakes result

1. Foreteller
2. Mr Moet
3. Budriguez

Then came:

4. Mawingo
5. Tanby
6. Prairie Star
7. Eclair Surprise
8. Invest