Schillaci Stakes

Winners and Past Results for the Schillaci Stakes.

The Schillaci Stakes is a Group 2 weight for age race for horses three years old and over conducted by Melbourne Racing Club during the spring racing carnival.

The 1100 metre race attracts the classiest sprinters to Caulfield Racecourse which has seen the likes of the invincible Black Caviar take home two consecutive titles in 2010-11.

The race is held in honour of Schillaci, an outstanding sprinter trained by Lee Freedman and winner of eight Group 1 titles out of a tally of 14 group wins. The Schillaci Stakes is worth $400,000 in prize money and is held on the first day of the three-day spring carnival at Caulfield in October. Other major events on the day's race card are the Group 1 Toorak Handicap, Caulfield Guineas, and Yalumba Stakes.

Lead up races include the Group 1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley although it may not have been a handy form guide in recent times. Miss Andretti was the last win the Manikato Stakes/Schillaci Stakes double in 2006. She also finished runner up in the 1400 M Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield on her way to the Schillaci Stakes. While Black Caviar returned from a spell in 2011 to score a second victory, second placed Karuta Queen won the 1100 metre listed Heritage Stakes at Rosehill, on her way here.

The 1200 M Group 2 Schweppes Stakes held on Cox Plate Day at Moonee Valley Races may be next on the agenda for some fillies and mares while the stronger sprinters may fancy their chances in the Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic over 1200 M at Flemington Races on Emirates Stakes Day. Black Caviar has stamped her authority over both events in 2010 and 2011. The 1200 M Group 3 Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley a fortnight later may also be on the cards. Runner up in 2011, Karuta Queen, upped the tempo in her next outing to win the Australia Stakes. In 2009, Lucky Secret was unplaced in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes prior to winning the Shillaci Stakes. Apache Cat, runner up in the same year went on to win the Schweppes Stakes and then finished fourth in the Patinack Farm Classic at Flemington. Earlier in 2009, runner up Apache Cat also finished a close second in the Schweppes Stakes.

A number of quality sprinters have added the Schillaci Stakes to their kitty since it began as a principal race in 1970. It was granted Group 2 status by Melbourne Racing Club in 1979. Street Ruffian was the first to score consecutive victories in 1990-1991 followed by Black Caviar in 2010-2011.

Among the notable winners in recent times are Mahogany in 1997, Falvelon in 2000, Miss Andretti in 2006, and Gold Edition in 2007.