The Flight Stakes was first run as a principal race over 8 furlongs (about 1600 metres) in 1947 and was won by Nizam’s Ring. The race changed to the metric distance of 1600 metres in 1972 and became a Group 2 race in 1979. In 1985 it was made a Group 1 race and is the only Group 1 race for fillies held during the Sydney Spring Carnival.

Flight was a champion mare who won the Cox Plate in 1945 and 1946 and this race was named in her honour the following year. The race attracts the best three-year-old fillies from around Australia. The race was not held in 2007 because of an outbreak of equine influenza that stopped horses being transported in New South Wales.

Most horses have their lead-up run in the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes over 1500 metres at Rosehill, which is usually run two weeks earlier. There is a series of four races for three-year-old fillies which is called the Princess Series and consists of the Silver Shadow Stakes (1200 metres), Furious Stakes (1400 metres), Tea Rose Stakes and the Flight Stakes.

2024 Flight Stakes Preview and results

2023 Flight Stakes Preview and results

2022 Flight Stakes Preview and results

2020 Flight Stakes Preview and results

Fastest time (1600m): Montefilia (2020) 1:33:04

Interesting trivia: 1987 winner Judyann and 1984 winner Goleen are full sisters by Gosh from Baleen.

Samantha Miss (2008) and Angst (1993) are the only two fillies to win all four legs of the Princess Series. Unwordly (2000), Danglissa (1999) and Sunline (1998) all won the Furious Stakes – Tea Rose Stakes – Flight Stakes treble. Other notable winners include Slight Chance, Triscay, Research, Bounding Away, Goleen, Cap d’Antibes, Flying Gauntlet and Wenona Girl. Gai Waterhouse has won this race a record 8 times.

From the archives:

2018 Flight Stakes Tips

Track: Soft   Weather: Overcast

Thirteen fillies will tackle the $500,000 Darley Flight Stakes and 9 of them had their last start in the Tea Rose Stakes. The short-priced favourite is Miss Fabulass who was very impressive winning the Tea Rose by 1.5 lengths after getting clear. Second favourite is Pretty In Pink who was 3^rd in both the Tea Rose and Furious Stakes. Third favourite is Fiesta who was 2^nd in both those races and should be in the finish again.

Oohood is still a maiden but has won a million dollars in prizemoney as runner-up in the Golden Slipper and Sires Produce in the autumn, and was 4^th in the Tea Rose and Furious Stakes. Maid Of Heaven was held up before 5^th in the Tea Rose and ran very fast sectionals. Nakeeta Jane has only had 2 starts and won her maiden last start but this is a massive class jump. Baccarat Baby has won 5 of her 6 starts in Queensland including  her latest win over 1600m. The other runners are currently 25 to 1 or longer.

For the latest tips on this years Flight Stakes check out the top selections from our tipster panel. The weekends racing tips are uploaded every Friday or you can simply join our newsletter and get them sent direct to your inbox each week. The following are the top 4 selections from our tipster panel for this years race.