CS Hayes Stakes

Winners and Past Results for the CS Hayes Stakes.

The CS Hayes Stakes, specifically for three year old colts and geldings is a Group 3 race held at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne.

Hosted by the Victoria Racing Club the 1400 meter race is run under set weight plus penalties during the summer racing carnival in February.

Over the years, a number of spirited males have grabbed the prize money of $150,000. The event was formerly known as the VRC The Debonair until 2010 and is scheduled on the same day as Group 3 The Vanity for fillies and the Group 1 Lightning Stakes. The Vanity is the female equivalent of the CS Hayes Stakes and several horses favour contesting in the Group 1 Australian Guineas on Super Saturday at Flemington.

The Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes is another race that many horses fancy after the CS Hayes Stakes held at Moonee Valley Track in March. The set weight & penalty condition is usually a plus point for the above average three year old male on the summer track at Flemington.

In 2002, Dash For Cash, trained by Rick Hore-Lacy retained fine form to win the Hayes Stakes/Australian Guineas double. Another handy galloper, Lieutenant, won the event in 2005 before lifting the Group 2 Alistair Clarke Stakes.

The Listed Manfred Stakes serves as a form guide for the event with several horses making their way to the starting gates in the CS Hayes Stakes after the 1300 meter race at Sandown Racecourse. The 2011 winner, Peter Snowden trained Bullbars, ran an impressive second in the Manfred Stakes prior to lifting the cup, upsetting the firm favourite, Enjin Number Nine.

Raveneaux won the inaugural CS Hayes Stakes, known as VRC The Debonair, in 1987.

Among the best three year old talent to win the Stakes are Zabeel in 1990, Mahogany in 1994, Mossman in 1999, Dash For Cash in 2002, Wordsmith in 2007, and Fair Trade in 2009.

The event was a listed race until 2001 when it was elevated to Group 3, attracting a fine crop of sprinters. Other horses to win a CS Hayes Stakes/Australian Guineas double are Zabeel in 1990, Mahogany in 1994, and Mouawad in 1997. Playwright won the 2008 Stakes and then ran third in the Australian Guineas.

One of the main advantages for the winners is the ballot exemption on offer for the Australian Guineas, which is why the CS Hayes Stakes attracts a large field.