Lee Steere Classic

Winners and Past Results

Established in 1983 as a listed race, The Sir Ernest Lee Steere Classic, which is informally called the Lee Steere Classic, was upgraded to Group 3 in 1986. Free $250 Bet That Can't

The race is for three year old thoroughbred horses only and run under set weight conditions over 1400 metres.

$125,000 is at stake in the event organised by Perth Racing at Ascot Racecourse, which is regarded as the grand old lady of racecourses. The Lee Steere Classic is held in December as part of the Summer Racing Carnival, and is one of the last races of the season.

Many of the horses contesting in the Lee Steere Classic are local horses who are three year old gallopers in form, some of whom may have already competed in the 1600 meter Group 2 WA Guineas, run under the same conditions over an extended distance. The WA Guineas is held usually at the end of November, and the Lee Steere Classic is perfect for horses who have found the 1600 meter distance too long. In addition, it suits horses who can recover from the 1600 meter race to compete over a shorter distance. Lee Steer Classic contestants also go on to compete in the Hobartville Stakes, Flight Stakes, and the Furious Stakes, which are similar races in terms of weight and distance.

Good form in the WA Guineas is not a guarantee of repeat performance in the Lee Steere Classic, as the last horse to win the WA Guineas and Lee Steere Classic double was Classy Dresser in 1993. In 2011, Night War claimed the title, after placing second in the listed Placid Ark Stakes and winning the Westspeed Handicap for three year olds. Stormy Nova winner in 2004, Changing Lanes in 2003, and Dexian in 2001, all placed in the WA Guineas before going ahead to win the Lee Steere Classic.

Other recent winners were Playcidium in 2010 who came in first in the Pinjarra Crane Hire 1600 meter race before going on to win the Lee Steere Classic. He then went on to finish third in the 1200 M Air And Water Residential Handicap. Dino Mak, winner of the 2009 Lee Steere Classic, came into the race after finishing 12th in the WA Guineas race, and then third in the 1400 M Fairetha Stakes. He then placed 5th in the Air and Water Residential Handicap. The most notable horse to win the Lee Steere Classic was Placid Ark , who won the event in 1987 and then became the first horse to win the sprinters treble which included the Lightning Stakes, Oakleigh Plate and Newmarket Handicap.

2011 Lee-Steere Classic

Night War was perfectly ridden to pre-race instructions, hanging off the pace in the early stages and letting the front-runners sort themselves out. With 300 metres to go, Night War was finally asked to switch on, moving forward with Watermans Bay to overtake early leader Born To Excel. The pair fought it out almost to the post, with Night War able to draw away right at the death to win by a head, with Born To Excel bravely hanging on for third.

2011 Lee-Steere Classic result

1. Night War
2. Watermans Bay
3. Born To Excel

Then came:

4. Venetian Prince
5. Pure Heaven
6. Almachino
7. Murphy's Red Boy
8. Temples
9. Tax A Million
10. Gracetown