The race was first run as an unlisted handicap over 1100m at Caulfield in 2002 and was won by Crystal Finale. In 2005 it was upgraded to Listed race, then in 2013 it was upgraded again to its current Group 3 status. It has gone by many names over the years including the Jayco Cup, Martha Cove Classic, Clamms Seafood Stakes, Slickpix Stakes, Theshark.com.au Stakes and the Resimax Stakes as well as The Heath 1100. “The Heath” is a local historical name for Caulfield Racecourse from its early days of scrub land.

It is held on Group 1 Memsie Stakes day along with the Group 3 HDF McNeil Stakes over 1200 for three-year-olds, the Group 3 WW Cockram Stakes over 1200m for mares and the Listed Heatherlie Handicap over 1700m. History has shown that many horses from this race go on to be Group 1 sprinters.

Horses that are not first-up from a spell often come into The Heath via the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap held at Flemington three weeks before. Sprinters may then head to the McEwen Stakes, Bobbie Lewis Quality, The Shorts in Sydney or the AJ Moir Stakes.

The Heath is the second leg of the MRC Everest series. The first leg is the Listed Regal Roller Stakes held a fortnight earlier, and the third leg is the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes held in late September. Winners of the three legs will each receive a place in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes in October, exempt from any ballot. The connections of the winner of the Schillaci Stakes are then offered a “Win and you’re In” place in The Everest, Australia’s richest turf race, which is held on the same day as the Caulfield Cup.

In 2024 it was run as the Vale Black Caviar in memory of the great mare (18 August 2006 to 17 August 2024).

2024 The Heath 1100 Preview and results

2023 The Heath 1100 Preview and results

2022 The Heath 1100 Preview and results

2021 The Heath 1100 Preview and results

2020 The Heath 1100 Preview and results

Last mare to win: Asfoora (2023)

Multiple winners: No horse has won this race more than once.

Fastest time (1100m): Atomic Force (2011) and Golden Archer (2012) both ran 1:02:72

Aurie’s Star Handicap & The Heath 1100: Voodoo Lad (2017).

Leading trainers: Mick Price with 3 wins (Samaready 2013; Rightfully Yours 2010; Bel Mer 2008)

Interesting trivia: 2003 winner Lovely Jubly is the dam of champion sprinter Chautauqua.

Winners of past The Heath 1100s include Ball Of Muscle (2018), Voodoo Lad (2017), Redzel (2016), Bounding (2015), Flamberge (2014), Samaready (2013), Golden Archer (2012), Atomic Force (2011), Bel Mer (2008), Undue (2007), Shadoways (2006) and Lovely Jubly (2003).