, Cantala Stakes - Flemington Racecourse - Spring Racing Carnival
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Cantala Stakes

The Cantala Stakes is a Group 1 handicap race that takes place on VRC Derby day in late October or early November at Flemington racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria. The race is run over a distance of 1600 metres and worth $2,000,000 in prize money. The 2019 Cantala Stakes was won by Fierce Impact from Fifty Stars with Cascadian third.

Previously run as the Emirates Stakes on the final day of the four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival, in 2016 the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) and Racing Victoria announced changes to the first & last day of the Flemington carnival. The Emirates Stakes (previously held on the final day) reverted to its registered name, the Cantala Stakes, and moved to Derby Day (the first day), while the Mackinnon Stakes (previously held on the first day) was renamed the Emirates Stakes and moved to the final day.

The Cantala Stakes now takes place alongside the Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby on the first Saturday of the four-day Flemington carnival, further enhancing the appeal of the entire Melbourne spring racing carnival, both here and abroad.

Derby day is widely regarded as one of the best days of racing anywhere in the world with the whole card packed with quality group races. The Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes for three-year-olds and Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes for fillies and mares, round out a top day of feature racing action.

Cantala Stakes info

Date: Saturday 30th October 2021
Track: Flemington racecourse, Melbourne
Distance: 1600 metres
Race Type: Quality Handicap
Status: Group 1
Prize Money: $2,000,000
2019 Winner: Fierce Impact
cantala stakes odds Cantala Stakes odds

The Cantala Stakes is the premier 1600m race of the Flemington carnival and the race itself has grown significantly in recent times. Prize money has increased dramatically, now worth more than $2,000,000, making it one of the richest mile events in the country. The VRC are hoping to lure international trainers in the hope they might consider bringing along a quality miler with their Melbourne Cup hopefuls.

Strong milers are suited in the Cantala Stakes as the long Flemington straight will find out any horses who lack a bit of intestinal fortitude in the final stanza. Races like Gr2 Crystal Mile on Cox Plate day and the Group 1 Toorak Handicap on Caulfield Guineas day are generally good guides to this race.

Some classy performers have saluted in this event including All Silent (2008), Better Loosen Up (1989), Shaftesbury Avenue (1990) and the classy Testa Rossa (2000).

Best Of Days (2018) dead-heated with Mask Of Time in the Gr3 Coongy Handicap at Caulfield before scoring an exciting victory in this event for the James Cummings stable.

Recent Cantala Stakes winners include Shillelagh (2017) and Le Romain (2016).

2019 Cantala Stakes result

1. $8.00 Fierce Impact 56.0 Craig Williams
2. $10.00 Fifty Stars 56.5 Mark Zahra
3. $12.00 Cascadian 53.5 Dean Yendall

then followed
4. $31.00 So Si Bon 55.5 Luke Nolen
5. $26.00 Best Of Days 57.0 James Doyle
6. $7.00 Night's Watch 55.5 Damien Oliver
7. $21.00 Life Less Ordinary 56.5 Hugh Bowman
8. $61.00 Streets Of Avalon 55.5 Zac Spain
9. $7.00 Star Of The Seas 54.0 Michael Walker
10. $21.00 Sikandarabad 54.5 Jye McNeil
11. $21.00 Mahamedeis 53.0 Brett Prebble
12. $10.00 Rock 53.5 Tim Clark
13. $41.00 Land Of Plenty 57.0 Ben Allen
14. $21.00 Cliff's Edge 55.5 John Allen
15. $14.00 Chief Ironside 53.0 Stephen Baster
16. $12.00 Royal Meeting 56.5 Dwayne Dunn

Margins: 0.1 len, 0.2 len
Time: 1:38.21

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Cantala Stakes winners & placegetters

Year Winner 2nd 3rd Time
2019 Fierce Impact Fifty Stars Cascadian 1:38.2
2018 Best Of Days Le Romain Peaceful State 1:33.6
2017 Shillelagh Tom Melbourne Wyndspelle 1:35.0
2016 Le Romain Mccreery Tivaci 1:34.9
2015 Turn Me Loose Politeness Rock Sturdy 1:36.2
2014 Hucklebuck Lucky Hussler The Cleaner 1:34.6
2013 Boban Smokin' Joey Speediness 1:36.5
2012 Happy Trails Fawkner Secret Admirer 1:35.9
2011 Albert The Fat King's Rose Secret Admirer 1:36.0
2010 Wall Street Dao Dao Chasm 1:36.7
2009 All American So You Think Gold Salute 1:33.9
2008 All Silent Sea Battle Mimi Lebrock 1:35.8
2007 Tears I Cry Bird Dancer Shinzig 1:35.2
2006 Divine Madonna Niconero Valedictum 1:35.5
2005 Valedictum Infinite Grace Shania Dane 1:34.9
2004 Sky Cuddle Lad Of The Manor Skewiff 1:39.1
2003 Titanic Jack True Glo Crawl 1:34.7
2002 Scenic Peak Crawl Excellerator 1:33.4
2001 Desert Eagle Emission La Bella Dama 1:37.3
2000 Testa Rossa Weasel Will Crawl 1:35.5
1999 Bonanova Umrum Nina Haraka 1:38.2
1998 Bezeal Bay Buster Jones Pursuits 1:35.2
1997 Catalan Opening Penghulu Sweet Delight 1:34.9
1996 Miss Margaret Scenic Royale Headstrong 1:35.8
1995 Seascay Tolanda Juggler 1:36.0
1994 Seascay Idea Western Red 1:37.0
1993 Primacy Excited Angel Pharoah 1:37.2
1992 Planet Ruler Soho Square = 2 Vows = 2 1:34.2
1991 Pontormo Shaftesbury Avenue Prince Salieri 1:35.1
1990 Shaftesbury Avenue Spot The Rock Pressmans Choice 1:36.8
1989 Better Loosen Up Our Krona Swiftsynd 1:35.4
1988 Our Westminster Eastern Classic True Dreams 1:38.0
1987 Warned Groucho Isomer 1:35.5
1986 Chanteclair Eastern Classic True Dreams 1:38.0
1985 Dazzling Duke Mrs. Fitzherbet Lord Ballina 1:38.7
1984 Riverdale Exemplify Keepers 1:37.0
1983 Honest Promise French Current Feeling Fit 1:35.1
1982 Magari Getting Closer Pride Of Century 1:37.3
1981 Tower Belle Pride Of Century Sovereign Red 1:35.4
1980 Silver Bounty Blazing Bags Western Bay 1:35.9