Ian McEwen Stakes

Winners and Past Results for the Ian McEwen Stakes

The Ian McEwen Stakes is hosted by the Moonee Valley Racing Club at the Moonee Valley Racecourse.

The Group 3 open race has horses travel a short distance of 1000 metres under weight for age conditions for a chance to earn prize money worth $150,000.

The event is a part of the famous Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival and is scheduled early in September. Only the best sprinters and gallopers of the country take part in this event as the weight for age conditions favour above average horses. The Ian McEwen Trophy is on the same race card as other Group 2 races which include the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes and WH Stocks Stakes.

The Ian McEwen Stakes is only a recent addition to the Australian Thoroughbred racing scene. It was run for the very first time in 1995 and was won by a very talented horse named Sequalo who covered the distance of 1000 metres in 57.3 seconds. It began as a Listed Race and remained so until 2005. In 2006 it was awarded Group 3 status by the Moonee Valley Racing Club authorities. The event is held in honour of Ian McEwen, a former Moonee Valley Racing Club secretary.

The McEwen Stakes has attracted top sprinters over the years, many of whom have gone on to achieve greater success. Some Group 3 races such as the Missile Stakes held in Sydney and the Auries Star Handicap are a good platform for horses that wish to participate in the Ian McEwen Stakes. The best performers may vie for an entry into the 1200 M Group 1 Manikato Stakes which is held later in the carnival.

In 2010, the McEwen Stakes and the Manikato Stakes double was won by Hay List. Top sprinters may also eye the 1200 M Group 2 Schweppes Stakes held on Cox Plate Day. Among the notable sprinters to win the Ian McEwen Trophy include Testa Rossa in 2000, Miss Andretti in 2006, and Nicconi in 2009.

Buffering came in from a spell to win the 2011 Ian McEwen Trophy and then finished fourth in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes in his next outing on the same track. In 2009, Miss Andretti went on to blaze the tracks in the Manikato Stakes, followed by a close second in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and another victory in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes at the Caulfield track later in the season.

2012 McEwen Stakes

Bel Sprinter, one of the pre-race favourites, jumped nicely which gave jockey Ben Melham every chance to settle the five-year-old right on the pace, which was being set by Snitzem. It was a sizzling tempo in the early and middle stages but Bel Sprinter retained his composure throughout and as they started the run home, he took the lead with 200 metres to go. Platelet came from near last with a withering finish that looked like a winning run at times, but Bel Sprinter showed great fighting qualities to win by half a length over Platelet, while pacesetter Snitzem did well to run out the journey and finish third.

2012 McEwen Stakes result

1. Bel Sprinter
2. Platelet
3. Snitzem

Then came:

4. Golden Archer
5. Green Birdie
6. Morant
7. Didntcostalot
8. Stratcombe
9. Umgeton

Year	Ian McEwen Stakes Winners
2012	Bel Sprinter
2011	Buffering
2010	Hay List
2009	Nicconi
2008	Kaphero
2007	Here De Angels
2006	Miss Andretti
2005	Strikeline
2004	Edgeton
2003	Yell
2002	Mistegic
2001	Strategic Image
2000	Testa Rossa
1999	Theatre
1998	Flavour
1997	Another Excuse