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The Race History of the 2018 Villiers Stakes run at Randwick on Saturday shows it truly is a race for the strong milers.

Happy Clapper began his ascent in racing with a win in this race in 2015. Maybe the 2018 Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday will produce another?

2018 VILLIERS STAKES - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Villiers Stakes is a Group 2 race run under Handicap conditions for the milers at Randwick conducted by the Australian Turf Club.

The Villiers Stakes is run over 1600m. It was first run in 1892 and was won by Two Up.

Early runnings of the Villiers Stakes were at 1200m but all bar one running since 1901 was over the mile.

The Villiers Stakes was a Principal race to 1979 then was Group 3 before becoming a Group 2 in 1986.

The race was run at Warwick Farm in 2001, 2011 and 2012.

Horses often run well in the Doncaster after winning the Villiers as they are exempt.

Ike’s Dream held the famous Randwick mile track record until beaten recently in 2018. She set it in winning the 2004 Villiers by running 1:33.13.

Sense Of Occasion in 2016 would go on to place in the Doncaster first up and then behind Winx in the Queen Elizabeth before getting his Group 1 in the Doomben Cup.

In 2005 Aqua D’Amore won the Villiers over the mile and then nine days later took out the Summer Cup over 2400m.

The Villiers Stakes is worth $250,000 in 2018.

Notable winners of the Villiers Stakes include Sense Of Occasion (2016), Happy Clapper (2015), Aqua D’Amore (2005), Ike’s Dream (2004), Final Fantasy (1999), Referral (1998), Aunty Mary (1994), Soho Square (1992), Card Shark (1987), Roman Artist (1986), Rising Prince (1984), Oncidon (1973), Castanea (1965), Caesar (1958), Raconteur (1953), Carioca (1952), Bernborough (1945), Yaralla (1941) and Cetigne (1917).

The 2017 Villiers Stakes was won by Crack Me Up from Cabeza De Vaca and Interlocuter.