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The first of the fillies races for the season is the 2018 Gimcrack Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.

Portillo won it and placed in a Golden Slipper. Maybe another will start off that way in the 2018 Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday.

2018 GIMCRACK STAKES - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Gimcrack Stakes is a Group 3 race run under Set Weights conditions for two year old fillies at Randwick conducted by the Australian Turf Club.

The Gimcrack Stakes is run over 1000m. It was first run in 1906 and was won by Maltine.

The Gimcrack Stakes has always been run over 1000m.

The Gimcrack Stakes was a Principal Race until graded at Group 3. It went back to being Listed in 1992 but went back to Group 3 in 2018.

The race was not run in 2007 due to Equine Influenza but was rescheduled to early 2008 and became a Golden Slipper lead up.

The race was held in two divisions in 1975, 1976 and 1977.

This fillies race hasn’t quite the results of the boys in the Breeders’ Plate.

Portillo won in 2008. That was the Equine Influenza year but she did place in the Golden Slipper behind Sebring.

Mirror Mirror won a Magic Millions in 2006 after taking the Gimcrack.

Media placed in the Slipper to Stratum five months after winning at Randwick.

In the Golden Slipper era, the best winner of the Gimcrack has been Wenona Girl. She was good enough to subsequently win races like the AJC Sires, Flight Stakes, Rosehill Guineas, Thousand Guineas, AJC Oaks, George Main, Orr Stakes and two Lightnings for good measure.

The Gimcrack Stakes is worth $160,000 in 2018.

Notable winners of the Gimcrack Stakes include Portillo (2008), Hurried Choice (2006), Mirror Mirror (2005), Media (2004), Katima (1998), Dantelah (1996), Apple Danish (1995), Fitting (1992), Startling Lass (1987), Mother Duck (1986), Vaindarra (1981), Fiancee (1979), Princess Talaria (1976), Wenona GIrl (1959), Furious (1920) and Gigandra (1909).

The 2017 Gimcrack Stakes was won by Satin Slipper from Setsuna and Fiesta.