Auraria Stakes

Winners and Past Results

The South Australian Jockey Club hosts the Group 3 Auraria Stakes at the Morphettville Racecourse in Adelaide every year. Free $250 Bet

It is held in honour of the 1895 Melbourne Cup winner, Auraria.

Run over a distance of 1800 meters, the race carries prize money worth $140,000 for the winner.

The Auraria Stakes is for three year old fillies run under set weight and penalties condition scheduled on the penultimate day of the Adelaide racing carnival, which also features other major events such as the Group 1 Goodwood and the SA Derby. Another major race is the Group 2 Adelaide Cup and the Group 3 RA Lee Stakes.

The Auraria Stakes has some of the local average and above average fillies storm the tracks which include the 2011 winner, Shylight, La Volta in 1998, Yvonne in 2003, Dane Beltar in 2004, and Devil Moon in 2007.

Since its inception in 1944 many middle distance gallopers have lifted the trophy beginning with Chariot who won the inaugural race. It was a principal race until 1973 when it achieved Group 3 status. The 2011 Auraria Stakes was run as the Schweppervescence Stakes in which Glenn Boss steered the David Brideoake-trained Shylight to victory by a nose from Southern Speed.

Many classy fillies move on to test their abilities in the Group 2 Queen Of The South Stakes and Group 1 Australasian Oaks over a distance of 2000 meters. Many of them go on to become handy mares and boost sales at the June’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale at the Gold Coast.

The Auraria Stakes is the perfect lead up to the Queensland Oaks later in the season. Some may enter the race after a good showing in the Bint Marscay Handicap at Sandown.

The 2008 Auraria Stakes winner, Moment in Time, was among the most versatile fillies to win races over a variety of distances including 1400m, 1600m, 1800m, 2600m, and 2800m.

The Auraria Stakes is the first of three South Australian races for fillies over the autumn carnival, followed by the Group 1 Australasian Oaks and the South Australian Oaks which is now called the SA Fillies Classic run over a distance of 2400 meters. The last horse to claim the Auraria/Australasian Oaks double was Grand Echezeaux, trained by Lee Freedman, in 2000.

Since the introduction of the Schweppes Oak inn 1982, five fillies have claimed the double which include the David Hall trained Only Episode, in 1999.

2012 Auraria Stakes

Crucial was hampered by a wide barrier draw and soon after the start, jockey Vlad Duric was content to let the filly settle near the back of the field of 16 runners. Despite being well back, Crucial enjoyed a good run early on and while the frontrunners were jostling for prime position in preparation for the run home, she was more than relaxed as they approached the turn. At the top of the straight, Duric moved Crucial right to the outside of the field and with energy to burn she whistled down the straight in a classic last to first performance, winning by a length over Rahveel and Crimson Lady.

2012 Auraria Stakes result

1. Crucial
2. Rahveel
3. Crimson Lady

Then came:

4. Invest
5. Empress Rock
6. Essence
7. Just Discreet
8. Princess Rock
9. Elldami
10. Bliss Street
11. Alessandra
12. Rock Culture
13. Torah
14. Amalgamate
15. Quench The Thirst
16. Call Me Biscuit