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The Festival Stakes run at Rosehill on Saturday hasn’t always been a determining guide to the Villiers.

Monton was the last to do the double in 2011. Will the 2019 Festival Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday be more so this year?

2019 Festival Stakes: Nominations

2019 FESTIVAL STAKES - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Festival Stakes is a Group 3 race run under Quality conditions for the milers at Rosehill conducted by the Australian Turf Club.

The Festival Stakes is run over 1500m. It was first run in 1948 and was won by Cragside.

The Festival Stakes was originally over 1400m and has been as short as 1280m but has been at 1500m since 2008.

The Festival Stakes was a Principal Race then Listed from 1979 before gaining Group 3 status from 2016.

Twice the race has been run at Canterbury but most editions were at Rosehill.

It is a vital lead up to the Villiers Stakes but only Monton, Utzon, Ike's Dream and Castanea have done the double.

The Festival Stakes is worth $160,000 in 2019.

Notable winners of the Festival Stakes include Mighty Lucky (2015), Malavio (2012), Monton (2011), Eremein (2008), Utzon (2006), Ike's Dream (2005), This Manshood (2002/2003), Adam (2000), Ice Cream Sundae (1990), At Sea (1985), Manuan (1984), Just Ideal (1976), King Bogan (1970) and Coniston (1951).

The 2018 Festival Stakes was won by My Nordic Hero from Goodfella and Chamois Road.