Lets Elope Stakes
The Lets Elope Stakes is a Group 3 race for mares held at Flemington racecourse annually each September during the Melbourne spring racing carnival. The race is run over a distance of 1400 metres and worth $200,000 in prize money. The 2020 Lets Elope Stakes was won by Pretty Brazen from Arcadia Queen with Bonvicini third.
Named after former champion mare 'Let's Elope', the race was previously a listed event known as the 'Milady Stakes' up until 1994 before becoming a Group 3 race in 2005. It was afforded Group 2 status in 2009 and takes place on the same day as the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes.
Lets Elope Stakes info
| Date: | Saturday 11th September 2021 |
| Track: | Flemington racecourse, Melbourne |
| Distance: | 1400 metres |
| Race Type: | Mares - Set Weights + Penalty |
| Status: | Group 2 |
| Prize Money: | $200,000 |
| 2020 Winner: | Pretty Brazen |
The Lets Elope Stakes is a race for mares only and the set weight & penalty conditions of the race favours the more talented females entered for the event. Those females with higher average prize money and better race records typically rise to the occasion for this event.
Generally a capacity field of above average mares will contest the Lets Elope Stakes and they may have come via a race such as the Gr3 Cockram Stakes held earlier in the carnival at Caulfield.
The upcoming Gr3 How Now Stakes held at Caulfield on Group 1 Underwood Stakes day or the Gr2 WH Stocks Stakes on Group 1 AJ Moir Stakes night at Moonee Valley may be next on the agenda for mares contesting this race. Don't Doubt Momma (2016) is the last mare to win the Let's Elope Stakes and WH Stocks Stakes double.
Classy mare Catkins (2nd in 2013) won the How Now Stakes after finishing runner-up in the Let's Elope Stakes beforehand, while Fenway (9th in 2015) claimed the WH Stocks Stakes at her next start.
Other group races to take place on Lets Elope Stakes Day include the Gr2 Danehill Stakes and Gr3 Bobbie Lewis Quality.
Spanish Whisper (2019) finished runner-up in the Cockram Stakes over 1200m at Caulfield before going one better in this event for the David & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig stable at Euroa.
Recent Let's Elope Stakes winners include I Am A Star (2018) and Sword Of Light (2017).
Spring Carnival Guide
I Am A Star (7th in 2017) and Don't Doubt Momma (2016) both won the Gr2 Stocks Stakes at Moonee Valley at their next start.
Catkins (2nd in 2013) went on to have a very consistent spring winning the How Now Stakes at Caulfield and the Gr3 Inglis Mile at Moonee Valley, and placing in the Gr2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes and Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington, the latter on Derby Day on the first day of the four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival. Quality mare Dear Demi (7th in 2013) ran third in both the Underwood Stakes and Group 1 Caulfield Cup at Caulfield before finishing runner-up in the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington.
Ill fated mare Pinker Pinker (2011) went on to finish runner-up in the WH Stocks Stakes and Group 1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick before scoring an upset victory in the Group 1 WS Cox Plate at Moonee Valley courtesy of a brilliant Craig Williams ride.
Peter Moody mare Mid Summer Music (2nd in 2011) ran third in the Gr2 Caulfield Sprint at Caulfield & Group 1 VRC Sprint Classic at Flemington after running second here. The following winter in Brisbane she managed to win the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm.
Consistent mare Lady Lynette (4th in 2011) finished third in the Stocks Stakes at Moonee Valley, then won the Rose Of Kingston Stakes at Flemington, before finishing third in the Inglis Mile at Moonee Valley.
Response (2nd in 2010) went on to win the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield and turned the tables on No Evidence Needed (2010) who finished second in the same race.
2020 Lets Elope Stakes result
1. $20.00 Pretty Brazen 58.0 Luke Currie
2. $3.80 Arcadia Queen 58.0 William Pike
3. $21.00 Bonvicini 57.0 Jye McNeil
then followed
4. $16.00 She Shao Fly 55.0 Ben Melham
5. $31.00 Southbank 55.0 Billy Egan
6. $101.00 Lady Loft 55.0 Beau Mertens
7. $26.00 Street Icon 55.0 Craig Williams
8. $2.70 Savatiano 58.0 Mark Zahra
9. $31.00 Spanish Reef 57.0 Craig Newitt
10. $21.00 Affair To Remember 55.0 Michael Dee
11. $7.00 My Gold Bracelet 58.0 Damien Oliver
12. $21.00 Fidelia 55.0 Dean Yendall
13. $101.00 Shrouded In Mist 58.0 John Allen
Margins: 0.2 len, 0.75 len
Time: 1:22.84
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Lets Elope Stakes winners & placegetters
| Year | Winner | 2nd | 3rd | Time |
| 2020 | Pretty Brazen | Arcadia Queen | Bonvicini | 1:22.8 |
| 2018 | I Am A Star | Bella Martini | Sheezdashing | 1:23.1 |
| 2017 | Sword Of Light | Swampland | Lovani | 1:23.5 |
| 2016 | Don't Doubt Mamma | Thames Court | Manageress | 1:24.5 |
| 2015 | Amicus | Precious Gem | May's Dream | 1:23.0 |
| 2014 | Commanding Jewel | Dear Demi | Nautical | 1:23.6 |
| 2013 | Commanding Jewel | Catkins | A Time For Julia | 1:22.5 |
| 2012 | Zurella | Hi Belle | Total Attraction | 1:23.3 |
| 2011 | Pinker Pinker | Mid Summer Music | Parables | 1:23.8 |
| 2010 | No Evidence Needed | Response | Live In Sin | 1:26.8 |
| 2009 | Cats Whisker | Romneya | Symphony Miss | 1:25.0 |
| 2008 | Mimi Lebrock | Bellini Rose | Devil Moon | 1:28.2 |
| 2007 | Devil Moon | Eskimo Queen | Bellini Rose | 1:23.4 |
| 2006 | Rewaaya | Be Delicious | Celtic Bloom | 1:24.2 |
| 2005 | Dea | Timbourina | Catscan | 1:23.3 |
| 2004 | Beautiful Gem | Galvanized | Demerger | 1:24.4 |
| 2003 | Ain't Seen Nothin | Classic Patches | Reactive | 1:24.4 |
| 2002 | Purple Groove | Tickle My | Crimson Gem | 1:24.9 |
| 2001 | Flushed | Miss Power Bird | Lolita Star | 1:24.5 |
| 2000 | Tickle My | Love's Choice | Monterosso | 1:28.4 |
| 1999 | Zapeace | Hula Wonder | Follow Gold | 1:25.3 |
| 1998 | Skyrocket | Wiggly Woo | Lisa's Game | 1:23.4 |
| 1997 | Derobe | Vonanne | Red Nile | 1:24.3 |
| 1996 | Rose Of Portland | Arctic Scent | Clicko | 1:25.1 |
| 1995 | Tolanda | Ferragamo | Calypso | 1:22.8 |
| 1994 | Amuse Us | Hospitable | Lovey | 1:24.3 |
| 1993 | Rose of Marizza | Azzurro | Bouverie Mist | 1:25.7 |
| 1992 | Mannerism | Swayaura | Pride Of Demus | 1:25.9 |
| 1991 | Shavano Miss | Make Up Lady | Blame | 1:25.5 |
| 1990 | Natural Wonder | Blame | Galaway Star | 1:25.6 |
| 1989 | Rancheetah | Memphis Blues | Hazy Pond | 1:25.6 |
| 1988 | Riva Gleam | Sister Shirley | Lady Violet | 1:25.6 |
| 1987 | Take My Picture | English Charm | Glowing Idol | 1:23.0 |
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