Herbert Power Stakes

Herbert Power Stakes
Group 2 race
1955 winner – Rising Fast
Location	Caulfield Racecourse
Inaugurated	1898 (as Eclipse Stakes)
Race type	Thoroughbred
Sponsor	Sportingbet
Race information
Distance	2,400 metres
Surface	Turf
Track	Left-handed
Qualification	Three year olds and older
Weight	quality handicap
Purse	$200,000 (2014)
Bonuses	Winner automatic entry into the Caulfield Cup[1]

The Herbert Power Stakes is a Melbourne Racing Club Group 2 Thoroughbred horse race held under quality handicap conditions, for horses aged three years old and upwards, over a distance of 2400 metres. It is held at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia. Prizemoney is A$200,000.^[2]

Race history

The race was named after former Victoria Amateur Turf Club Chairman and thoroughbred owner Herbert Power (1833–1919), who was instrumental in the formation of the sport of racing in the early days of the Colony of Victoria. He joined the original Melbourne Club in 1859 and played an integral part in the merger in 1864 of the Victorian Turf Club and Victorian Jockey club to form today's Victoria Racing Club. In 1875 he was one of a band of racing enthusiasts who founded the Victoria Amateur Turf Club. He was a member of the VATC committee, and he was chairman in 1889, 1896 and 1907. When he retired from the committee he was appointed one of the trustees of the Caulfield racecourse. He was one of the auditors of the VRC from 1880 until 1905.^[3]

The race is considered an important lead-up to the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.

Poseidon, 1906 & 1907 winner

During World War II the race was run at Flemington Racecourse.^[4]

Race name

• 1898–1919 - Eclipse Stakes
• 1920–1992 - Herbert Power Handicap
• 1993–1996 - Quick-Eze Stakes
• 1997 - Perrier Mineral Water Stakes
• 1998–1999 - Perrier Stakes
• 2000 - Herbert Power Stakes
• 2001–08 - Winning Edge Presentations Stakes
• 2009 onwards - Herbert Power Stakes

Race distance

• 1898–1899 - 1 mile (~1600 metres)
• 1900–1919 - 1³⁄₈ miles (~2200 metres)
• 1920–1971 - 1¹⁄₂ miles (~2400 metres)
• 1972 onwards - 2400 metres

Race grade

• 1898–1978 - Principal Race
• 1979–1980 - Group 3
• 1981 onwards - Group 2

Doubles wins

The following thoroughbreds have won the Herbert Power Stakes – Melbourne Cup double in the same year.

• Rogan Josh (1999), Arwon (1978), Van Der Hum (1976), Gala Supreme (1973), Sirius (1944) and Poseidon, (1906)

The following thoroughbreds have won the Herbert Power Stakes – Caulfield Cup double in the same year.

• Master O'Reilly (2007), Beer Street (1970), Rising Fast (1955), My Hero (1953), Poseidon twice (1906 and 1907), Marvel Loch (1905)

The winners

See also

• List of Australian Group races
• Group races

References