RN Irwin Stakes

Winners and Past Results

The first among Group 3 races hosted by the South Australian Jockey Club during the autumn racing carnival in April is the RN Irwin Stakes. The weight for age sprint race is held at Morphettville Racecourse in Adelaide over a distance of 1100 metres. Free $200 Bet

The event is worth $115,000 for the winner and takes place alongside the Adelaide Cup and the Group 3 Auraria Stakes over 1800 metres. Level weights offer an opportunity for some of the better sprinters to take home the trophy. Over the years a number of quality sprinters have won the RN Irwin Stakes who may also move on to compete in the Group 3 DC Mckay Stakes and the Group 1 Goodwood also at Morphettville in May. Third placed in 2009, Blahnik also finished third in the Mackay Stakes, also known as the Evright.com Stakes. Some horses may fancy an outing in the Group 1 Sportingbet Classic over 1200 metres on the same track.

The Group 1 Oakleigh Plate, run over 1100 metres at Caulfield Racecourse is often a handy form guide leading up to the RN Irwin Stakes. Avenue was runner up in the event before claiming the 2011 RN Irwin Stakes. The 1200 M Group 2 Australia Stakes held earlier at the end of January at Moonee Valley Racecourse may also have a few entrants for the RN Irwin Stakes although it isn't a handy form guide. The1100 M Group 3 Rubiton Stakes held earlier at Caulfield may also be the route for some horses prior to the RN Irwin Stakes. Avenue was runner up in the Rubiton Stakes and the Oakleigh Plate prior to lifting the 2011 RN Irwin Stakes.

Among the top sprinters to make a mark on the RN Irwin Stakes are Redelva in 1988, Street Ruffian in 1992, Bomber Bill in 2003, and Super Elegant in 2005. Never Rest was the first horse to win the RN Irwin Stakes as a principal race in 1955. The race was promoted to Group 2 by the South Australian Jockey Club in 1980. It has been run under several distances between 1100 and 1450 metres. However, horses have been made to travel a distance of 1100 metres since 2003. Scorn Bold is the only horse to win on two consecutive occasions in 1996 and 1997.

2011 RN Irwin Stakes

The heavily backed Avenue did not disappoint, being taken to the front from the start of the race and leading the small field home, winning by a half length over Diplomatic Force with Morgan Dollar a long way back in third.

2011 RN Irwin Stakes result

1. Avenue
2. Diplomatic Force
3. Morgan Dollar

Then came:

4. Shekinaar
5. Obsidian Dragon
6. Ciro Prince
7. Augusta Proud