3 minute read

The big Oaks lead up is the Wakeful Stakes run at Flemington on Saturday.

The double was done again just last year with Aristia. Could the first leg be the forerunner to it in the 2019 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday?

2019 Wakeful Stakes: Nominations

2019 WAKEFUL STAKES - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Wakeful Stakes is a Group 2 race run under Set Weights and Penalty conditions for three year old fillies at Flemington conducted by the Victoria Racing Club.

The Wakeful Stakes is run over 2000m. It was first run in 1932 and was won by Protea.

The race is named after the great mare Wakeful who won many principal races in her career in the early part of last century.

Early runnings of the Wakeful Stakes were over a mile but since 1953 has been over 2000m and is the traditional lead up to the Oaks on the Thursday.

The Wakeful Stakes was a Principal Race then a Group 2 from 1979.

An amazing 36 fillies have completed the Wakeful Stakes/VRC Oaks double with Aristia the most recent in 2018.

Those to do the Thousand Guineas/Wakeful Stakes double (13) – Atlantic Jewel the last to do it in 2011.

Those to do the Thousand Guineas/Wakeful Stakes/VRC Oaks treble (10) – Arborea the last to do it in 1993.

In 2011 Atlantic Jewel had the Oaks at her mercy after winning the Wakeful Stakes by seven lengths but injured a hamstring and could not compete on the Thursday.

The Wakeful Stakes is worth $300,000 in 2019.

Notable winners of the Wakeful Stakes include Aristia (2018), Kirramosa (2013), Atlantic Jewel (2011), Faint Perfume (2009), Zarita (2007), Tuesday Joy (2006), Serenade Rose (2005), Hollow Bullet (2004), Grand Archway (1998), Danendri (1996), Saleous (1995), Arborea (1993), Richfield Lady (1991), Tristanagh (1989), Research (1988), Imposera (1987), November Rain (1980), How Now (1975), Leica Show (1974), Toltrice (1972), Light Fingers (1964), Wenona Girl (1960), Evening Peal (1955), Nizam's Ring (1947), Rainbird (1944) and Session (1940).

The 2018 Wakeful Stakes was won by Aristia from Qafila and El Dorado Dreaming.