Heatherlie Handicap

See the 2023 Heatherlie Handicap Preview and results

See the 2022 Heatherlie Handicap Preview and results

See the 2020 Heatherlie Handicap Preview and results

The Heatherlie Handicap has been known by a variety of names over the years with the Argus publishing the results of the 1924 Heatherlie Handicap over 1700m in early September 1924. Its names include the D’Urban Quality Stakes, National Jockeys Celebration Day Stakes, Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock Stakes and the Heatherlie Stakes. It has also had many sponsorship names.

It is held on Group 1 Memsie Stakes day along with the Group 3 The Heath 1100 sprint race, the Group 3 HDF McNeil Stakes over 1200m for three-year-olds and the Group 3 W W Cockram Stakes over 1200m for mares. Many staying types will run in this race first-up, and others may have had a run in the Aurie’s Star Handicap, PB Lawrence Stakes or Rowley Mile in the last few weeks.

A horse called Tom Melbourne became well-known for the number of times he ran second in a race. He won five of his first eight race starts and this was the race where he finished second for the first time, at his ninth start, behind Great Esteem in 2016.

Last mare to win: No Effort (2021)

Multiple winners: Prince Benbara (2000 & 2001)

Fastest time (1700m): Growl (2006) 1:41.86

Heatherlis Stakes & Naturalism Stakes: Magnapal (2015)

Leading jockeys: Craig Williams  with 3 wins (Call Me Handsome 2018; Moudre 2010; Growl 2006).

Leading trainers: David Hayes with 4 wins (Super Titus 2019; Hell Or Highwater 2017; Stipulate 2014; Growl 2006)

Interesting trivia: Winners in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022 all carried 54 kg.

Winners of past Heatherlie Stakes include Great Esteem (2016), Magnapal (2015), Moudre (2010), Growl (2006) and Prince Benbara (2000 & 2001).