3 minute read
The Race History of the Crystal Mile run at Moonee Valley on Saturday shows its changed when the conditions changed.
Homesman was a WFA horse in taking it out and it could be the case again in the 2021 Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
2021 Crystal Mile: Nominations
2021 CRYSTAL MILE - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The Crystal Mile 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 Crystal Mile is run over 1600m. It was first run in 1982 and was won by Getting Closer.
As the name suggests, the race has only been at the mile.
After being Listed to 1986, the Crystal Mile became a Group 3 to 1996, then was a Group 2 from 1997.
Has had several name changes but has always included the registered name within that.
The biggest change to the race was making it a Weight For Age event instead of a handicap from 2012. The fields have not been big since then.
Strangely few horses have done the Crystal Mile/Cantala Stakes double – Turn Me Loose and Dazzling Duke the only two.
The Crystal Mile was worth $300,000 in 2021.
Notable winners of the Crystal Mile include Homesman (2020), Chief Ironside (2019), Cliff's Edge (2018), The United States (2016), Turn Me Loose (2015), Silent Achiever (2012), Rangirangdoo (2009), Niconero (2005), Lad Of The Manor (2004), Weasel Will (2000/2001), Le Zagaletta (1999), Holy Roller (1997), Juggler (1995), Solvit (1992) and Dazzling Duke (1985).
The 2020 Crystal Mile was won by Homesman from Age Of Chivalry and Kings Will Dream.