2010 Oakleigh Plate

The Oakleigh Plate is an 1100 metre open handicap run at Caulfield by the Melbourne Racing Club. It is normally held on the same day as the Blue Diamond Stakes in late February each year during the Autumn Racing Carnival.

Race Type: Group 1, Open Handicap
Distance: 1100m
Track: Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne, Victoria
Date: 26 Feb 2011

Oakleigh Plate Racing Odds – Click Here

The Oakleigh Plate was first run in 1884 when it was won by an exceptional horse called Malua who went on to win the 1884 Newmarket Handicap, the 1884 Adelaide Cup and the 1884 Melbourne Cup. Four years later he won the 1888 Grand National Hurdle. Although Oakleigh Plate winners need to be strong and fast it is hard to imagine modern Oakleigh Plate horses running in a 4800 metre race in the twilight of their career.

The original distance was 6 furlongs (about 1200 metres) and remained the same until 1972. It was changed to 1100 metres in 1973. It is a tough race to win with the mare Dual Choice being the only horse to achieve back-to-back wins in 1971 and 1972. Aurie’s Star is the only other horse to win more than once in 1937 and 1939.

Traditional lead-up races to the Oakleigh Plate are the Group 1 Lightning Stakes over 1000 metres or the Group 3 Rubiton Stakes over 1100 metres. Horses who perform well in the Oakleigh often tackle the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap over 1200 metres two weeks later. The only two horses to win the Lightning Stakes, Oakleigh Plate and Newmarket Melbourne sprint treble were Schillachi in 1992 and Placid Ark in 1987. Dual Choice won the 1971 Lightning and Oakleigh but came second in the Newmarket.

Many of Australia’s favourite sprinters have won this race including Weekend Hussler (2008), Fastnet Rock (2005), Miss Kournikova (2001), Schillachi (1992), Snippets (1988), Placid Ark (1987), Zephyr Bay (1975) and Wakeful (1901). Tontonan (1974) is the only Golden Slipper winner who has won when he had his first start as a three-year-old after breaking down following wins in the Golden Slipper and AJC Sires Produce.

Past winners of the Oakleigh Plate: