Crystal Mile

Winners and Past Results for the Crystal Mile

The Crystal Mile is a Moonee Valley Racing Club Group 2 Australian open handicap horse race for horses aged 3 years old and upwards.

The Moonee Valley Racing Club offers prize money worth $200,000 for the Crystal Mile, a Group 2 open race run under handicap conditions in October at the Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne.

The 1600 meter race is held during the spring racing carnival on Cox Plate day just before the prestigious Melbourne Cup.

The event is one of the most important mile races in spring at Moonee Valley with classier types proving their middle distance and staying power on the tracks. The Group 1 Toorak Handicap held earlier at Caulfield attracts hopefuls for the Crystal Mile. Over the years, horses with good track form have proved to have an advantage over interstate horses in the event.

Some horses may make their way to the Group 1 Emirates Stakes at Flemington Racecourse on the last day of the Melbourne Cup carnival.

Placed third in 2009, All American won the Emirates Stakes in his next start. Tears I Cry also improved from a third spot in the 2007 Crystal Mile with a victory in the Emirates Stakes. A year earlier, Sea Battle was runner up in both races. Interestingly, Dazzling Duke is the only horse to claim a Crystal Mile/Emirates Stakes double in 2005. Others may tackle other Group 2 events over an extended distance. The Group 1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick Racecourse earlier in October is also a race from where better milers may fancy their chances in the Crystal Mile.

In 2009, Rangirangdoo, with Corey Brown in the saddle, ran a close second in the Epsom Handicap prior to winning the Crystal Mile. The hard working but injury prone galloper went on to win many Group 1 races. Testa My Patience, the 2011 winner came into the race after a victory in The BMW over 1400 meters a fortnight earlier.

A number of placegetters and winners have moved on to bigger success over the mile. After running sixth in the 2010 Crystal Mile, Gathering moved on to summer carnival in Perth to win the Group 1 Railway Stakes at the Ascot track.

Notable milers to win the Crystal Mile recently include Sonic Quest in 2007 and Sea Battle in 2008.

2012 Crystal Mile

The pace was solid from the start, and increased once Illo surged into the lead at about the halfway mark. Race favourite Rangirangdoo was part of the leading group, while Kiwi mare Silent Achiever was ridden patiently towards the back of the field. Illo couldn't sustain the pace, leaving Rangirangdoo in front on the turn, while Silent Achiever started a wide run forward, in pursuit of the leader. Rangirangdoo was gallant as they neared the post but Silent Achiever was full of running and went past the favourite with 100 to go, eventually winning by just under a length over Rangirangdoo, with Solzhenitsyn a neck back in third.

2012 Crystal Mile result

1. Silent Achiever
2. Rangirangdoo
3. Solzhenitsyn

Then came:

4. Tokugawa
5. Ambidexter
6. Spacecraft
7. Illo