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Top mares take the Empire Rose Stakes run at Flemington on Saturday.

Melody Belle had her biggest Aussie win here. This 2021 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday shapes as the best ever.

2021 Empire Rose Stakes: Nominations

2021 EMPIRE ROSE STAKES - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Empire Rose Stakes is a Group 1 race run under weight for age conditions for fillies and mares at Flemington conducted by the Victoria Racing Club.

The Empire Rose Stakes is run over 1600m. It was first run in 1988 and was won by Concordance.

It has always been over the mile.

The Empire Rose Stakes was a Listed race from 1988 to 1994, then Group 3 to 1996, Group 2 up to 2003 before being upgraded to Group 1 thereafter.

The race is registered as the Empire Rose Stakes but was the Myer Classic since it became a G1. Empire Rose was a grand staying mare who won the Melbourne Cup in 1988. It is back to its registered name in 2018.

Even though open to fillies and mares, the fillies didn't have a great record when it became a G1. Alinghi got very close first time in 2004 and then I Am A Star became the first filly winner in 2016 with Shoals backing that up 12 months later.

No mare has won the race twice.

There is no main lead up race but the Tristarc on Caulfield Cup day is a strong pointer.

In recent seasons there have been some big priced winners – Shout The Bar $31, Politeness $21, Bonaria $26, Appearance $41, Hurtle Myrtle $16 and Sacred Choice $21 just in the last decade.

NSW horses have run well here (10 of last 19).

Melody Belle won her 10th G1 but the first one in Australia in 2019 when charging home. She got to 12 the following Spring.

In 2021, a $1m bonus was to be paid to winner of the Empire Rose Stakes should they also have also won the Coolmore Classic, NZ Breeders Stks, Tatts Tiara, Let's Elope Stks, Stocks Stks, Rose Of Kingston Stks, Edward Manifold Stks, Thousand Guineas, Ladies Day Vase, Tristarc Stks, Moonee Valley Classic or Tesio Stks.

The Empire Rose Stakes was worth $1,000,000 in 2021.

Notable winners of the Empire Rose Stakes include Melody Belle (2019), Shillelagh (2018), Shoals (2017), Red Tracer (2013), Appearance (2012), Sacred Choice (2010), Typhoon Tracy (2009), Forensics (2008), Divine Madonna (2007), Lotteria (2005), Miss Potential (2004), Bonanova (1998), Aunty Mary (1995), Excited Angel (1992) and Natural Wonder (1990).

The 2020 Empire Rose Stakes was won by Shout The Bar from Odeum and Forbidden Love.