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Race History of the 2017 Lexus Stakes at Flemington on Saturday often throws up a good runner in the Melbourne Cup.
Shocking did the double in 2009 and maybe another may do that in the 2017 Lexus Stakes (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday.
2017 Lexus Stakes: Nominations
2017 LEXUS STAKES – ALL IN MARKET
$5: Big Duke
$5: Harlem$5: Aloft
$6.50: Assign$7.50: Our Century
*All others quoted at $9 or greater in full market.
2017 LEXUS STAKES - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The Lexus Stakes is a G3 race run under Quality Handicap conditions for the stayers at Flemington conducted by the Victoria Racing Club.
The Lexus Stakes is run over 2500m. It was first run in 1869 and was won by Aurora.
Often the last chance to make the Melbourne Cup with the winner exempt from ballot, it isn’t easy to back up.
This race has had numerous name changes but was the Hotham Handicap all the way until 1978. It became the Lexus Stakes in 2009.
Until 1971 the race was a mile and a half but became 2500m from 1972.
The Lexus Stakes was a Principal Race then a Group 3 1979/1980, Group 2 1981 to 2003 then downgraded to Group 3 from 2004.
The most famous history of the Hotham Handicap is the triple dead heat in 1956 between Fighting Force, Ark Royal and Pandie Sun.
Not been a good race for the mares with the most recent being Pindi in 1994.
Those to do the Hotham Handicap/Melbourne Cup double include Shocking (2009), Brew (2000), Think Big (1974), Baystone (1958), Foxzami (1949), Sirius (1944), Dark Felt (1943), White Nose (1931), King Ingoda (1922) and Nimblefoot (1870).
The Lexus Stakes is worth $300,000 in 2017.
Notable winners of the Lexus Stakes include Signoff (2014), Maluckyday (2010), Shocking (2009), Maybe Better (2006), Brew (2000), Mount Olympus (1990), Sea Legend (1986), Chagemar (1983/1984), Think Big (1974), Scotch And Dry (1972), Tails (1969), Baystone (1958), Fighting Force/Ark Royal/Pandie Sun (1956), Foxzami (1949), Dark Marne (1947), Sirius (1944), Dark Felt (1943), Catalogue (1939), Spear Chief (1938), White Nose (1931), Shadow King (1929), King Indoga (1922) and Nimblefoot (1870).
The 2016 Lexus Stakes was won by Oceanographer from Tom Melbourne and Tally.
