The Eclipse Stakes is a Group 3 quality handicap that takes place at Sandown racecourse each November in Melbourne. The race is held two weeks after the Melbourne Cup carnival at Flemington and one week after the Gr2 Sandown Classic. Over recent years the Eclipse Stakes has been run over distances ranging from 1800m to 2100m and this year's race is over 2100m. It has prizemoney of $125,000 and was won in 2008 by Eskimo Dan from Instructor with Sentire third.
| Eclipse Stakes info |
| Date: |
Saturday November 21st, 2009 |
| Track: |
Sandown racecourse, Melbourne |
| Distance: |
2100 metres |
| Race Type: |
Quality Handicap |
| Status: |
Group 3 |
| Prizemoney: |
$125,000 |
| 2008 Winner: |
Eskimo Dan |
The Eclipse Stakes is the last group race of the spring in Melbourne and being over a middle distance it attracts horses coming back in distance from races such as the Gr2 Sandown Classic(2400m) or Gr3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes(2500), and also horses looking to step up in distance from races like the Gr3 Sandown Stakes over 1500m. The long Sandown straight with its tough uphill run home can test a horse's mettle in the run to the line and suits horses are solid conveyances at the distance.
In recent years the race has been won by Like It Is(2007), Utility(2006) and Aqua D'Amore in 2005.
Spring Carnival Guide
Most of the good horses that raced during the Caulfield and Melbourne carnivals are out spelling by now and lesser lights that continue racing may consider this race to get a group win under their belt. Zazzman won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes/Eclipse Stakes double in 2003, and it is worth noting that top gallopers Super Impose(1998) and Fields of Omagh(2001) both won this race and then went on to win the WS Cox Plate in later years.
2008 Eclipse Stakes result
1. $4.25 Eskimo Dan 54.0 Craig Williams
2. $5.00 Instructor 54.5 Nicholas Hall
3. $6.00 Sentire 55.0 P Mertens
then followed;
4. $13.00 We Wonder 54.0 V Duric
5. $5.50 Bird Of Fire 55.0 D Brereton
6. $10.00 Who's Ya Daddy 55.0 D Oliver
7. $9.00 Soul Diva 54.0 D Dunn
8. $41.00 Come Fly With Me 54.0 Chris Symons
Eclipse Stakes recent results
| Year |
Winner |
2nd |
3rd |
Time |
|
2008 |
Eskimo Dan |
Instructor |
Sentire |
2.15:5 |
|
2007 |
Like It Is |
Shinzig |
Hidden Strings |
1:50.4 |
|
2006 |
Utility |
Douro Valley |
Flash Trick |
1:52.0 |
|
2005 |
Aqua D'Amore |
Stamen |
Wild Classic |
2:14.5 |
|
2004 |
Requisite |
Fonome |
Caveat Emptor |
1:49.6 |
|
2003 |
Zazzman |
Chairman'S Choice |
You Little Beaut |
2:03.8 |
|
2002 |
Damaschino |
Another Warrior |
British Buska |
2:02.1 |
|
2001 |
Fields Of Omagh |
Thong Classic |
Aquiver |
2:11.1 |
|
2000 |
Tickle My |
The Collector |
Aka Bilk |
2:07.0 |
|
1999 |
Taberann |
Jaimestown |
Sly Sandra |
2:10.2 |
|
1998 |
Prime Address |
Zerpour |
Make A Scene |
2:11.6 |
|
1997 |
Burning Embers |
Miss Tessia |
Maximai |
2:02.7 |
|
1996 |
Gold City |
Hurricane Storm |
Tristolier |
2:10.7 |
|
1995 |
Broann |
Top Rating |
Circles Of Gold |
2:10.9 |
|
1994 |
Innocent King |
Bon Precieux |
Idea |
2:02.2 |
|
1993 |
Palareign |
Corndale |
Southern States |
2:03.7 |
|
1992 |
Fraar |
Excited Angel |
Beret Rouge |
2:07.6 |
|
1991 |
Luisant Bijou |
Gamine |
Pressman'S Choice |
2:01.5 |
|
1990 |
Gamine |
Eastern Classic |
City Gossip |
2:11.7 |
|
1989 |
Eastern Classic |
Akatarawa |
Cool Rocking Daddy |
2:01.1 |
|
1988 |
Super Impose |
Crown Ridge |
Be Reasonable |
2:11.6 |
