The Spring Champion Stakes is a 2000 metre set weight race for three-year-olds run by the Australian Jockey Club. It is held on Epsom Handicap Day in October at Randwick racecourse.
Race Type: Group 1, 3YO Set Weights
Distance: 2000m
Track: Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, New South Wales
Date: 1 Oct 2011
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The Spring Champion Stakes was first run in 1971 when it was won by Gay Icarus who went on to win eight black type events including the Caulfield Cup. The race was originally run in the autumn but moved to the spring in 1979 when it became a Group 1 race. In 1983 it was run over 2100 metres at Warwick Farm and in 2001 it was run over 2100 metres on the Kensington inner track.
Lead-up races are the Gloaming Stakes over 1800 metres at Rosehill, the Dulcify Quality over 2000 metres at Randwick and the NJC Spring Stakes over 1600 metres at Newcastle. Under the set weight conditions the colts and geldings carry 56.5kg and the fillies carry 54.5kg. No filly has ever won although many have been fancied in the betting. Surround was 2 to 1 favourite in 1977 and ran 10th while Tuesday Joy was $4 second favourite in 2006 and ran 4th.
2011 Spring Champion Stakes Final Field & Odds:
Betting markets for the 2011 Spring Champion Stakes are now live with Strike The Stars the clear early favourite followed by Darci Be Good, Ambidexter and Doctor Doom. See below for the latest Spring Champion Stakes odds plus final field.
2011 Spring Champion Stakes Tips:
For the latest tips on this years Spring Champion Stakes check out the top picks from our expert racing panel. Selections for the weekends racing are uploaded every Friday or you can simply join our newsletter and get them emailed direct to you inbox each week. • View our Weekly Tips
Previous winners of the Spring Champion Stakes:
The race is well named because so many winners have gone on to win more Group 1 races and stamp themselves as champions. Taras Bulba (1975) won the AJC Derby, Rosehill Guineas, Chipping Norton, Underwood Stakes, VRC St Leger and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Kingston Town (1979) won the AJC Derby, Queensland Derby, Sydney Cup and three Cox Plates. Other winners have similar achievements.
Notable winners include Savabeel (2004), Niello (2003), Universal Prince (2000), Dignity Dancer (1998), Tie The Knot (1997), Nothin’ Leica Dane (1995), Danewin (1995), Stylish Century (1989), Beau Zam (1987), Sir Dapper (1983), Best Western (1981) and Cheyne Walk (1976).
| Year | Winner | Second | Third |
| 2011 | Doctor Doom | Darci Be Good | Sangster |
| 2010 | Erewhon | Retrieve | Praecido/Shootoff |
| 2009 | Monaco Consul(NZ) | Gathering | Viking Legend |
| 2008 | Sousa (NZ) | Predatory Pricer | Excelltastic |
| 2007 | RACE NOT RUN | ||
| 2006 | Teranaba | All Black Gold | He’s No Pie Eater |
| 2005 | Hotel Grand | Pendragon (NZ) | Duelled |
| 2004 | Savabeel | Outback Prince | Cedar Manor (NZ) |
| 2003 | Niello | November Dreaming | Tsuimai |
| 2002 | Platinum Scissors | Soprano | Maskerado (NZ) |
| 2001 | Viking Ruler | Evander | Silver Baron |
| 2000 | Universal Prince | Falls The Shadow | Go Bint (NZ) |
