Blamey Stakes

Winners and Past Results

The Group 2 Blamey Stakes held at the Flemington Racecourse in March is a race for horses three year old and upwards run over a distance of 1600 meters.  FREE $200 Bet

The event is an open race run under set weight and penalty conditions. Hosted by the Victoria Racing Club, the Blamey Stakes attracts prize money worth $300,000. The event is held on day packed with Group 1 and Group 2 races including the Newmarket Handicap, Australian Cup, Kewney Stakes, VRC Sires' Produce Stakes, and other Group 3 races including the Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes and Schweppervescence Trophy during the autumn racing carnival in Melbourne .

The Blamey Stakes has a rich history with Prince Cortauld winning the inaugural event in 1956.

Several horses won back to back races which include Dhaulagiri in 1961-62, Tobin Bronze in 1966-67, Hyperno in 1980-81, Vo Rogue in 1988-89, Better Loosen Up in 1990-91, and Durbridge in 1994-95.

The 2007 winner, Apache Cat, is among the formidable horses to win the Blamey Stakes.

The event was initially a principal race and achieved its Group 2 status in 1980. Until then it was also run under weight for age conditions. The Futurity Stakes at Caulfield Racecourse presents the perfect lead up to the Blamey Stakes. Whobegotyou, the 2011 champion ran second in the Futurity Stakes. Other notable winners include Gunsynd in 1973, Willoughby in 1998, Rosden in 2006, Largo Lad in 2009, and Lord Tavistock in 2010.

The Blamey Stakes is an event known to favour better gallopers and the occasional elite galloper. Over the past decade, Damien Oliver has been the most successful jockey with three Blamey Stakes to his credit steering Oliver Twist, Gold Wells, and Apache Cat to victory in 2000, 2004, and 2007 respectively. Jockey Steven Arnold follows with a double. Trainer David Hayes is credited with back to back victories in the Blamey Stakes with The Fuzz in 2008 and Largo Lad in 2009.

Runners may come in from the 1700 meter Listed Heatherlie Handicap held earlier at Caulfield in spring. Interestingly, four year olds seem to have a great attraction for the Blamey Stakes with six four-year-olds winning the event over the last eight editions of the Blamey Stakes. Only four favourites have obliged over the last decade.

All eyes are on the Blamey Stakes on Super Family Day at Flemington, which is the major racing venue in Melbourne, Victoria and home to the Melbourne Cup.

2011 Blamey Stakes

Favourite Whobegotyou had to work hard for victory, having to overcome a wide barrier draw and a slow start to take the lead in the straight and hold off a determined challenge from Dao Dao who eventually finished a head back in second. Fanjura was not fancied by the punters but took out third in a photo finish.

2011 Blamey Stakes result

1. Whobegotyou
2. Dao Dao
3. Fanjura

Then came:

4. Roadtrain
5. Doubtful Jack
6. I'm Imposing
7. Spacecraft
8. Extra Zero
9. Rockpecker
10. Wind Shear