Edward Manifold Stakes

Winners and Past Results for the Edward Manifold Stakes

The Edward Manifold Stakes is one of Victoria Racing Club's prestigious races held at the Flemington Racecourse. This event is run at the start of the spring racing carnival in Melbourne.

The Edward Manifold Stakes is a Group 2 event for 3 year old horses under set weight conditions.

The race is run over a distance of 1600 meters with top quality milers gracing the track. The winner takes home a sizeable amount of $250,000 in addition to the title. The Edward Manifold Stakes takes place on the same day as the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes, and marks the beginning of quality group racing in the season for fillies. The race has proved to be an excellent form guide for elite classics later during the carnival.

The Stakes race is held at the spacious and wide Flemington race track and generally witnesses the best fillies putting up their best performances during the spring contest and on their way to the Group 1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield Racecourse just ten days later. From the Thousand Guineas stage, the jockeys and their respective horses can take their victorious journey ahead to the Wakeful Stakes and ultimately to the Crown Oaks.

This race has witnessed some of the best three year old fillies in continue their winning spree in the Thousand Guineas, Wakeful Stakes and ultimately to Crown Oaks. Some of the examples are top class three-year-olds such as Alinghi, who won this race in 2004 and Special Harmony, who was victorious in 2003. Some of the winners who claim the Edward Manifold Stakes and Thousand Guineas are Gallica in 2008, Alinghi in 2004, Special Harmony in 2003, Inaflury in 1998, Azzurro in 1992, Richfield Lady in 1991 and Riverina Charm in 1988.

The race is held in honour of Victoria Racing Club's long term committee member, Edward Manifold.

Trainer Lee Freedman has saddled the most winners for this event which includes Special Harmony in 2003, Alinghi in 2004, and Serenade Rose in 2005. Interestingly in 2010, Sistine Chapel became the first mare to win the Edward Manifold in 15 years.

Since the first Edward Manifold Stakes in 1932, many notable milers have etched their name on the trophy, which includes Light Fingers in 1964, Storm Queen in 1966, Rubidium in 1995, Rose of Danehill in 1997, and many more. The event remained a principal race until 1979 when it was awarded Group 2 status.

2012 Edward Manifold Stakes

Maybe Discreet started from barrier 15 and jockey Luke Nolen took her forward immediately, where she got settled on the outside of the leader, Walk With Attitude. Maybe Discreet relaxed nicely in the middle stages of the 1600 metre race, keeping plenty in reserve for the run home, while others further back started to make a move as they neared the turn, including the favourite Commanding Jewel. Maybe Discreet, fresh after reducing her tempo mid-race, pushed into the lead with 200 metres to go and showed plenty of heart to just hold on against the twin threats of the fast-finishing Member's Joy and Commanding Jewel, who finished second and third respectively.

2012 Edward Manifold Stakes result

1. Maybe Discreet
2. Member's Joy
3. Commanding Jewel

Then came:

4. Cameo
5. Zydeco
6. Walk With Attitude
7. Affable
8. Real Stolle
9. Proper Madam
10. Kate
11. Zazparella
12. Showmya Miss
13. Alzora
14. Spitfire Lady
15. Finnegan Beginegan
16. Lonhruge