Southern Cross Stakes

Winners and Past Results for the Southern Cross Stakes. See Frederick Clissold Stakes,

The Southern Cross Stakes is a Group 3 race held under handicap conditions at Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, New South Wales in late February.

The race is open to horses of all ages that travel a distance of 1200 metres for a shot at prize money worth $150,000.

This event generally takes place at the beginning of the Sydney Autumn Carnival and is organiSed on the same day as the Light Fingers Stakes by the Australian Turf Club.

The Southern Cross Stakes has been known under different names since its inception in 1940. Gold Rod was the first to win the title. It began as a Principal Race held over a distance of 6 furlongs, which is approximately equal to 1200 metres. It became a Listed Race in 1980 and was elevated to Group 3 in 1989.

Among the names the race has been known as include the Frederick Clissold Handicap, the Anniversary Cup, Frederick Clissold Quality, Frederick Clissold Stakes and Premier Express Freight Stakes. Since 2009 the race has been held as the Southern Cross Stakes.

Statistics indicate that the Southern Cross Stakes is not the choice of top gallopers but attracts sprinters that are just above average in this field. This is due to its early schedule and several bigger races that take place in Melbourne during the season.

Horses contesting in this event also may participate in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup held at Warwick Farm, scheduled on the same day as the Chipping Norton Stakes Day. The Liverpool City Cup, though, is held over a distance of 1300 metres as compared to 1200 metres for the Southern Cross Stakes. Dreamscape was runner up in both events in 2010.

Notable winners of this event in recent times include Sister Madly in 2011, Kenny's World in 2010 and Marchinski in 2009. Many horses like recent winner, Sister Madly, enter the Southern Cross Stakes after a spell, making it tough for punters to come up with a winner.

However, punters also ought to keep an eye on runners who excel in the previous year's spring racing carnival in Melbourne in races such as the Group 3 Bobbie Lewis Quality, the 1400 M Group 3 Chatham Stakes, and 1500 M Sandown Stakes.

Classy sprinters to take home prize money from the Southern Cross Stakes include Danewin in 1996, Ab Initio in 1999, Lord Essex in 2002, and Collate in 2006.