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Race History of the 2017 Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic at Ascot on Saturday shows some nice three year old winners.

The most celebrated was the grand sprinter Placid Ark who won this before going on a spree over East. Doubt there are other Placid Arks in the 2017 Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic (1400m) at Ascot on Saturday.

2017 SIR ERNEST LEE-STEERE CLASSIC - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic is a Listed race run under Set Weights and Penalty conditions for three year olds at Ascot conducted by Perth Racing.

The Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic is run over 1400m. It was first run in 1983 and was won by Corona Miss.

All runnings of the Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic have been at that distance.

The Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic was initially Listed then upgraded to Group 3 in 1986 before being downgraded again in 2016.

It is named after a former Chairman of the WATC.

The most famous of all Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic winners was Placid Ark. He would then follow up with the Triple Crown of Victorian Sprints being the Lightning/Oakleigh Plate/Newmarket.

Another name to remember was Paklani who had already placed in a Golden Slipper behind Canny Lad.

2003 running was at Belmont racecourse.

The Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic is worth $100,000 in 2017.

Notable winners of the Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic include Hard Ball Get (2012), Night War (2011), Stormy Nova (2005), Early Express (2002), The Medic (1997), Paklani (1991), Placid Ark (1987) and Fimiston (1986).

The 2016 Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic was won by Lusaha from Caipirinha and Precious Memories.