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Many times the John F Feehan Stakes run at Moonee Valley on Saturday has been a guide to the Cox Plate.

It was for Northerly his first time so who is one to watch in the 2021 John F Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

2021 John F Feehan Stakes: Nominations

2021 JOHN F FEEHAN STAKES - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The John F Feehan Stakes is a Group 2 race run under Weight For Age conditions for open class horses at Moonee Valley conducted by the Moonee Valley Racing Club.

The John F Feehan Stakes is run over 1600m. It was first run in 1948 and was won by Phoibos.

The John F Feehan Stakes has always been run over the mile. The 1995 running was at Caulfield.

The John F Feehan Stakes has been a Group 2 since moving out of Principal Race system.

The first owner of the land where Moonee Valley is situation was John F Feehan and this race was known as the JF Feehan Stakes until 2005. That land was bought by a man called William Samuel Cox for whom the great WFA race is now known.

The race was then renamed after Dato Tan Chin Nam who is best known as a leading owner of horses such as So You Think and Saintly who both won Cox Plates with Bart Cummings. In 2019 it reverted to being known as the John F Feehan Stakes again.

The winner of the John F Feehan Stakes is exempt from ballot for the Cox Plate.

The John F Feehan Stakes was worth $500,000 in 2021.

The race has often been an excellent guide to the Cox Plate run six weeks later. The winners of the John F Feehan Stakes and even those beaten run well in the Plate. However the last horse to do the double was El Segundo in 2007.

The 2017 running was a mixed up event with the favourite Star Exhibit rearing at the start, losing the rider and then running around the field causing interference. Bonneval swept around her rivals to score first up.

Homesman was beaten a nose in 2018 and would win easily one year on – both of them the resuming run.

In one of the great training efforts, Chris Waller rejuvenated Humidor to score in 2020 after he looked like his career was well and truly over coming through various trainers.

Notable winners of the John F Feehan Stakes include Humidor (2020), Bonneval (2017), The Cleaner (2014/2015), Fiorente (2013), Whobegotyou (2009/2010), El Segundo (2007), Lad Of The Manor (2005/2006), Fields Of Omagh (2002), Northerly (2001), Sunline (2000), Arctic Scent (1997), Tristalove (1994), Palace Reign (1993), Naturalism (1992), Mannerism (1991), Better Loosen Up (1990), Our Poetic Prince (1988), Rubiton (1987), Strawberry Road (1983), Lawman (1981/1982), So Called (1978), Vice Regal (1977), Tontonan (1975), Shorengro (1968/1969/1970), Winfreux (1965) and Rising Fast (1954).

The 2020 John F Feehan Stakes was won by Humidor from Surprise Baby and Harbour Views.