Eclipse Stakes
The Eclipse Stakes is a Group 3 quality handicap that takes place at Sandown racecourse each November in Melbourne at the tail end of the Melbourne spring racing carnival. The race is run over a distance of 1800 metres and worth $200,000 in prize money. The 2019 Eclipse Stakes was won by Pacodali from Setting Sail with Exasperate third.
Held on Group 2 Sandown Classic day, one week after the four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington, the Eclipse Stakes provides emerging gallopers the opportunity to snare a group race.
Eclipse Stakes info
| Date: | Saturday 27th November 2021 |
| Track: | Caulfield racecourse, Melbourne |
| Distance: | 1800 metres |
| Race Type: | Quality Handicap |
| Status: | Group 3 |
| Prize Money: | $200,000 |
| 2019 Winner: | Pacodali |
The Eclipse Stakes is one of the last Group 3 races of the Melbourne spring. Over recent years it has been run over distances ranging from 1800m to 2100m due to the race now taking place at Sandown rather than Caulfield. When the race was held at Caulfield the traditional distance was 2000m, and now that the race takes place at Sandown, which has dual tracks, it's run over the closest available distance on the respective circuit.
Sandown has two tracks, the Hillside circuit which has an 1800m start and the Lakeside circuit which does not. The reason it's sometimes run over 2100 metres is that the meeting can be held on the Lakeside circuit, which does not have an 1800m start.
The Eclipse Stakes is run over a middle distance and typically attracts horses coming back in distance from the longer races over the Flemington carnival. It might also suit mares who contested the Gr2 Matriarch Stakes on Emirates Day.
The long Sandown straight with its tough uphill run home can test a horse's mettle in the run to the line and this race suits horses who are solid conveyances at the distance.
Tally (2018) finished unplaced in the Gr3 Hotham Handicap over 2500m at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Carnival before pulling out all stops to win this event for the James Cummings stable.
Recent Eclipse Stakes winners include Payroll (2017) and Turnitaround (2016).
Spring Carnival Guide
Kiwia (5th in 2018) went on to win the Listed Ballarat Cup at his next start.
Zazzman (2003) won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes & Eclipse Stakes double in 2003 and it is worth noting that top class gallopers Super Impose (1998) and Fields of Omagh (2001) both won this race before going on to win the WS Cox Plate in later years.
2019 Eclipse Stakes result
1. $6.50 Pacodali 59.0 Dean Yendall
2. $2.05 Setting Sail 56.0 James Doyle
3. $51.00 Exasperate 54.0 Beau Mertens
then followed
4. $13.00 Savaheat 54.0 Michael Dee
5. $9.50 Mr Money Bags 54.0 Jye McNeil
6. $21.00 Danon Roman 54.0 Damien Thornton
7. $6.00 Plein Ciel 57.0 Craig Williams
8. $31.00 Main Stage 54.0 Barend Vorster
9. $151.00 Mr Clarify 54.0 Patrick Moloney
10. $26.00 Moss 'n' Dale 57.5 Jack Martin
11. $41.00 Zouy's Comet 54.0 Ms Linda Meech
Margins: 1.75 len, 2.50 len
Time: 1:51.56
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Eclipse Stakes winners & placegetters
| Year | Winner | 2nd | 3rd | Time |
| 2019 | Pacodali | Setting Sail | Exasperate | 1:51.5 |
| 2018 | Tally | He Ekscels | Muraaqeb | 1:51.2 |
| 2017 | Payroll | Kidmenever | Jacquinot Bay | 1:51.4 |
| 2016 | Turnitaround | High Church | Lidari | 1:51.2 |
| 2015 | Casino Dancer | Puccini | Worthy Cause | 1:48.0 |
| 2013 | Mouro | Rain Drum | Bel Thor | 1:50.3 |
| 2012 | Eclair Surprise | Tai Tai Tess | Shewan | 1:49.6 |
| 2011 | Rothera | Folding Gear | Ulundi | 1:52.1 |
| 2010 | Viking Hero | Davcon | Niblick | 1:55.2 |
| 2009 | Bashful Girl | Rose Syrah | Down Under Boy | 1:49.8 |
| 2008 | Eskimo Dan | Instructor | Sentire | 2.15:5 |
| 2007 | Like It Is | Shinzig | Hidden Strings | 1:50.4 |
| 2006 | Utility | Douro Valley | Flash Trick | 1:52.0 |
| 2005 | Aqua D'Amore | Stamen | Wild Classic | 2:14.5 |
| 2004 | Requisite | Fonome | Caveat Emptor | 1:49.6 |
| 2003 | Zazzman | Chairman'S Choice | You Little Beaut | 2:03.8 |
| 2002 | Damaschino | Another Warrior | British Buska | 2:02.1 |
| 2001 | Fields Of Omagh | Thong Classic | Aquiver | 2:11.1 |
| 2000 | Tickle My | The Collector | Aka Bilk | 2:07.0 |
| 1999 | Taberann | Jaimestown | Sly Sandra | 2:10.2 |
| 1998 | Prime Address | Zerpour | Make A Scene | 2:11.6 |
| 1997 | Burning Embers | Miss Tessia | Maximai | 2:02.7 |
| 1996 | Gold City | Hurricane Storm | Tristolier | 2:10.7 |
| 1995 | Broann | Top Rating | Circles Of Gold | 2:10.9 |
| 1994 | Innocent King | Bon Precieux | Idea | 2:02.2 |
| 1993 | Palareign | Corndale | Southern States | 2:03.7 |
| 1992 | Fraar | Excited Angel | Beret Rouge | 2:07.6 |
| 1991 | Luisant Bijou | Gamine | Pressman'S Choice | 2:01.5 |
| 1990 | Gamine | Eastern Classic | City Gossip | 2:11.7 |
| 1989 | Eastern Classic | Akatarawa | Cool Rocking Daddy | 2:01.1 |
| 1988 | Super Impose | Crown Ridge | Be Reasonable | 2:11.6 |
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