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It can be a bit of an upset race the Empire Rose Stakes run at Flemington on Saturday.

Appearance turned into a top mare but won this race at big odds. Look for a roughie in the 2018 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.

2018 EMPIRE ROSE STAKES - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Empire Rose Stakes is a Group 1 race run under weight for age conditions for fillies and mares at Flemington conducted by the Victoria Racing Club.

The Empire Rose Stakes is run over 1600m. It was first run in 1988 and was won by Concordance.

It has always been over the mile.

The Empire Rose Stakes was a Listed race from 1988 to 1994, then Group 3 to 1996, Group 2 up to 2003 before being upgraded to Group 1 thereafter.

The race is registered as the Empire Rose Stakes but was the Myer Classic since it became a G1. Empire Rose was a grand staying mare who won the Melbourne Cup in 1988. It is back to its registered name in 2018.

Even though open to fillies and mares, the fillies didn’t have a great record when it became a G1. Alinghi got very close first time in 2004 and then I Am A Star became the first filly winner in 2016 with Shoals backing that up 12 months later.

No mare has won the race twice.

There is no main lead up race but the Tristarc on Caulfield Cup day is a strong pointer.

In recent seasons there have been some big priced winners – Politeness $21, Bonaria $26, Appearance $41, Hurtle Myrtle $16 and Sacred Choice $21 just in the last decade.

NSW horses have run well here (8 of last 16) but not the last four.

The Empire Rose Stakes is worth $500,000 in 2018.

Notable winners of the Empire Rose Stakes include Shoals (2017), Red Tracer (2013), Appearance (2012), Sacred Choice (2010), Typhoon Tracy (2009), Forensics (2008), Divine Madonna (2007), Lotteria (2005), Miss Potential (2004), Bonanova (1998), Aunty Mary (1995), Excited Angel (1992) and Natural Wonder (1990).

The 2017 Empire Rose Stakes was won by Shoals from Eckstein and Dixie Blossoms.