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Some Doncaster form emanates from the running of the Ajax Stakes run at Rosehill on Saturday.

Grand Armee shot to prominence in winning the race in 2003. Could the 2019 Ajax Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday offer more Doncaster light?

2019 AJAX STAKES - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Ajax Stakes is a Group 2 race conducted by the Australian Turf Club at Rosehill and is historically an important lead-up race to the G1 Doncaster Mile.

The Ajax Stakes was introduced in 1974 and is run under quality handicap conditions with a maximum topweight of 61kg.

The winner of the Ajax Stakes is exempt from ballot and penalty for the 2017 Doncaster Mile at Randwick.

The Ajax Stakes is named after the champion racehorse of the late 1930s Ajax, an Australian Racing Hall Of Fame inductee. The Ajax Stakes has been run at Rosehill since its inception.

Between 1974 and 1978 the Ajax Stakes was run over 1200m and went to 1400m from 1979 to 1983. It has been run over 1500m since 1984.

The Ajax Stakes became a Listed Race in 1980, a Group 3 race in 1984 and a Group 2 race in 2006.

The last mare to win the Ajax Stakes was Sea Pictures in 1986.

There have been three dual winners of the Ajax Stakes - Catalan Opening (1996/97), Confiscate (1998/99) and It’s Somewhat (2016/2017).

The 2019 Ajax Stakes is worth $200,000 in prizemoney.

The Ajax Stakes/Doncaster Mile double has been won four times in the same year by Tontonan (1974), Vite Cheval (1984), Grand Armee (2003) and It’s Somewhat (2017).

Other notable winners of the Ajax Stakes include Wayne’s Bid, Tiger Town, Lloyd Boy, Lowan Star, Winter’s Dance, Imprimatur, From The Planet, Soho Square, Poetic King, All Silent, Niagara, Messene and Comin’ Through.

The 2018 Ajax Stakes was won by Comin’ Through from Tom Melbourne and Radipole.