Myer Classic

Winners and Past Results

The Group 1 Myer Classic race is one of the popular races held annually at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne. Fillies and mares three years old and upwards travel a distance of 1600 metres in the Myer Classic under weight for age conditions. Free $200 Bet

The race is held in late October or early November as part of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival and is generally run on the first day of the three-day Melbourne Cup carnival. The day's race card includes other Group 1 events such as Victoria Derby, Mackinnon Stakes and Coolmore Stud Stakes. Some of the top fillies and mares compete for prize money worth $500,000.

The Myer Classic has been held since 1988 with Concordance recorded as the first winner. It was a Listed Race till 1995 when it was elevated to Group 3 and later to Group 2 in 1997. Since 2004 it has been a Group 1 race. After the event was sponsored by Myer in 2005 the race was named as the Myer Classic event. Over the years the Myer Classic was held under various names. During 1994 to 2001 the race was known as the Hardy Bros. Classic. Earlier, before 2003, the event was held under set weight and penalties conditions but after its upgrade to Group 2, the condition was changed to weight for age from set weight and penalties and three year old fillies were also allowed to run in the field. The other names which the Myer Classic event was recognized earlier are The Honda Legend, Hong Kong Bank States and Nestle Peters Classic event.

There are various areas or avenues from where the horses come to take part in the Myer Classic event like the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes and the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes which take place earlier in the carnival. The winners from this event generally tend to take part in open handicaps which are run over a distance of mile to middle distance and are mostly seen very capable of winning or present tough competition to its opponents.

Among the top milers to win the Myer Classic include Hurtle Myrtle in 2011, Sacred Choice in 2010 and Typhoon Tracy in 2009. Hurtle Myrtle, winner of the 2011 Myer Classic, was runner up in the 1200 M Group 2 Premiere Stakes at Randwick and fifth in the Group 3 Betfair Stakes over 1400 M at Caulfield prior to winning here.

Among the other classy gallopers to win was Typhoon Tracy in 2009, who earlier won the Tristarc Stakes. The Group 2 Matriarch Stakes held on Emirates Day is also another event that many horses may fancy after the Myer Classic. Runner up in 2009, Lady Lynette improved on her performance to take home the Matriarch Stakes.

2011 Myer Classic

Hurtle Myrtle claimed her first Group 1 win, thanks to an outstanding ride from Damien Oliver. Hurtle Myrtle had a wide barrier draw but Oliver was able to find cover and had the mare travelling comfortably in the middle part of the race, where she tracked last year's winner Sacred Choice. As Sacred Choice moved forward, Hurtle Myrtle went with her and the two fought it out in the straight before Hurtle Myrtle finally drew away to win by just over a length. Dysphonia was not far back in third.

2011 Myer Classic result

1. Hurtle Myrtle
2. Sacred Choice
3. Dysphonia

Then came:

4. Skyerush
5. Lady Lynette
6. Mosheen
7. More Joyous
8. Banchee
9. Goon Serpent
10. Sistine Angel
11. Majestic Music
12. Response
13. Varenna Miss
14. Born To Rock
15. Guiseppina