The Patinack Farm Classic is a 1200 metre weight-for-age race for three-year-olds and upwards held by the Victoria Racing Club. It is run on the straight course at Flemington in November on the Saturday after the Melbourne Cup.
Race Type: Group 1, 3YO & Up Open WFA
Distance: 1200m
Track: Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Victoria
Date: 5 Nov 2011
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The Patinack Farm Classic is a difficult race to trace through history because it has changed from a handicap to weight-for-age and moved its position in the Spring Carnival as well as its name. It was first run as the Hallmark Stakes over 6 furlongs (about 1200 metres) in 1960 and was won by Karina. From 1961 to 1979 it was the Craven A Stakes then 1980 to 1985 it was the Pure Pak Stakes. From 1986 to 1993 it was the Gadsden Stakes, 1994 the Southcorp Packaging Stakes, then 1995 to 2006 the Salinger Stakes.
Originally run as a handicap on Derby Day, in 2007 the sprint was changed to weight-for-age and moved to Emirates Stakes Day where it was renamed the Patinack Farm Classic and was won by Miss Andretti. The name of Salinger Stakes was moved to a Group 2 1200 metre race still held on Derby Day.
The Patinack Farm Classic is the premier weight-for-age sprint of the Melbourne spring carnival and since 2008 it has been a leg of the Global Sprint Challenge. The Global Sprint Challenge is a series of eight Group 1 sprints in Australia, England, Japan and Hong Kong which gives Australian horses recognition in international racing.
As the race is held on the Flemington straight course it is a true speed test. Over the years it has been won by some of Australia’s top sprinters including Vain (1969), Century (1973), Special (1988), Hareeba (1994), Takeover Target (2004) and Miss Andretti (2007). Only two horses have won it more than once with Planet Ruler in 1989 and 1990 and River Rough in 1983 and 1984. There have been no multiple winners since it became weight-for-age.
Past winners of the Patinack Farm Classic:
| Year | Winner | Second | Third |
| 2010 | Black Caviar | Star Witness | Ortensia |
| 2009 | All Silent | Wanted | Bank Robber |
| 2008 | Swick (NZ) | Turffontein | Sunburnt Land |
| 2007 | Miss Andretti | Gold Edition | Stanzout |
| 2006 | Dance Hero | Shadoways | Miss Andretti |
| 2005 | Glamour Puss (NZ) | Barely A Moment | Cape Of Good Hope (GB) |
| 2004 | Takeover Target | Recurring | St Basil |
| 2003 | Ancient Song | Into The Night | Blessum |
| 2002 | Rubitano | Intelligent Star | Cosmic Strike |
| 2001 | Sudurka | Hire | Carmena |
| 2000 | Easy Rocking | Umrum | Tilt The Scales |
