3 minute read

Derby credentials go on the line in the 2019 Grand Prix Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Hawkspur did the double six years ago so the 2019 Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday is a race to focus on.

2019 Grand Prix Stakes: Nominations

2019 GRAND PRIX STAKES - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Grand Prix Stakes is a Group 3 race for three-year-olds conducted by the Brisbane Racing Club at Eagle Farm as part of the Queensland racing carnival.

The Grand Prix Stakes is run over 2200m under set weights and was introduced in 1971 as the major lead-up to the G1 Queensland Derby.

The Grand Prix Stakes was run at Eagle Farm from 1971 until 2009. From 2010 it was held at Doomben but is back to Eagle Farm.

The distance has varied many times, fluctuating from 2020m up to 2400m.

The Grand Prix Stakes was a Group 2 race from 1979 until 2005 and has been Group 3 since 2006.

All three placegetters from 2018 were raced in Asia after the Winter carnival.

The following horses have completed the Grand Prix Stakes–Queensland Derby double: Lefroy (1978), Double Century (1979), Kingston Town (1980), Mr. Cromwell (1981), Our Planet (1982), Librici (1984), Handy Proverb (1986), Hidden Rhythm (1989), Dorset Downs (1991), Air Seattle (1993), Half Hennessy (2003), Ice Chariot (2006), Brambles (2012) and Hawkspur (2013).

The 2019 Grand Prix Stakes will be run for prizemoney of $150,000.

Other notable winners of the Grand Prix Stakes include Mode, Latin Knight, Asgard, Balmerino, Surround, Our Sophia, Stargazer, Distinctly Secret, Reenact and Vilanova.

The 2018 Grand Prix Stakes was won by Heavenly Thought from Han Xin and Dark Dream.