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An old favourite won last year’s AJ Scahill Stakes run at Ascot on Saturday.

Kementari rolled back the clock in taking it. Doubt there will be that storyline in the 2021 AJ Scahill Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on Saturday.

2021 AJ SCAHILL STAKES - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The AJ Scahill Stakes is a Group 3 race run under Weights For Age conditions for the sprinters at Ascot conducted by Perth Racing.

The AJ Scahill Stakes is run over 1400m. It was first run in 1978 and was won by Burgess Queen.

Early runnings of the AJ Scahill Stakes were at 1200m but the vast majority have been at 1400m.

The AJ Scahill Stakes was a Principal race to 1979 then was Group 3 afterwards.

It is named after a former Vice Chairman of the WATC.

Only in 2016 did we see a top class horse win as Vega Magic got home in a field of five. Little did we know he'd win a Goodwood and Memsie and be placed in the first running of The Everest at Randwick.

In 2008 Takeover Target stayed on in Perth after winning the Winterbottom to take the Scahill easily against another four rivals a fortnight later.

2003 running was at Belmont racecourse.

Arcadia Queen's brother Arcadia Prince won in 2018.

After a failed stud career, a gelding operation and a long run of outs (20 starts), Kementari finally won another race since his Randwick Guineas as a 3yo. He had to go to Perth in 2020 to do it.

The AJ Scahill Stakes was worth $200,000 in 2021.

Notable winners of the AJ Scahill Stakes include Kementari (2020), Vega Magic (2016), Watermans Bay (2014/2015), Grand Nirvana (2011), Waratah's Secret (2010), Takeover Target (2008), Marasco (2006), Tribula (2001), Willoughby (1998), Island Morn (1996), Medicine Kid (1990), Miss Muffett (1988), Heron Bridge (1986) and Burgess Queen (1978).

The 2020 AJ Scahill Stakes was won by Kementari from Celebrity Queen and Dance Music.