VRC March Stakes Race Information

The Elms Handicap is a 1400 metre open handicap race run by the Victoria Racing Club in February. It is held at Flemington as part of the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival. Prior to 2022 it was called the VRC March Stakes.

  • Race Type: Listed
  • Distance: 1400 metres
  • Conditions: Open handicap
  • Track: Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Victoria
  • Prizemoney: $175,000
  • Date: Saturday 17 February 2024

VRC March Stakes Race History

See the 2024 The Elms Handicap Preview and results.

The race has had various names including the PFD Food Services Stakes, the Chubb Stakes and the Super Saturday Stakes before becoming the VRC March Stakes

In 2022 it was decided to reposition this race to Lightning Stakes day in mid-February and it clearly needed a new name. It was renamed the Elms Handicap. This race name has been used before when in 1900 a 7 furlong race for 2&3YOs was held to celebrate the beautiful elm trees planted at Flemington in the 1870s. The first winner was a colt named Cornquist who was a son of Abercorn (an Australian Racing Hall of Fame horse). Over the years the race changed in distance and conditions and eventually disappeared. In 2022, 122 years after Cornquist won the first race of this name an Elms Handicap is back on the Flemington race calendar.

Useful Facts

Last mare to win: Sojustrememberthis (2006)

Fastest time (1400m): Sedation (2001) 1:21:67

Interesting trivia:

Past winners of the VRC March Stakes

Winners of past VRC March Stakes include horses that go on to win major autumn races.

Year Winner Second Third
2024 Makram Jimmysstar Savannah Cloud
2023 Scallopini Biometric Munhamek
2022 Corner Pocket Morvada Mr Brightside
2021 So Si Bon Holbien Pretty Brazen
2020 Wild Planet Sirius Suspect Princess Jenni
2019 Widgee Turf Hellova Street Streets Of Avalon
2018 Sovereign Nation Theanswermyfriend Seaburge
2017 Hellova Street Mubakkir Zebrinz
2016 Tried And Tired Yesterday’s Songs Coronation Shallan
2015 Amorino Saint Or Sinner Gracious Prospect
2014 Sistine Demon Koonoomoo Coronation Shallan
2013 Centennial Park Star Of Giselle  British General
2012 Smokin’ Joey Pago Rock Life To The Full
2011 Orbit Express Red Flair Set For Fame
2010 Captain Coltish Danzylum Marveen
2009 Rockpecker Whobegotyou Pinnacles
2008 Orange County Gotta Have Heart Count To Zero
2007 Recapitalize Douro Valley Gone Critical
2006 Sojustrememberthis Camp Kalani Dismissal
2005 Youth Our Smoking Joe Country Lodge
2004 Cross Current Youth Bird Dancer
2003 Belle Ball Matter Of Honour Call Me Syd
2002 Tears Royal Notation Fappiano’s Son
2001 Sedation Charlie Chops Rancho Spark
2000 Accuse Weasel Will Civil List