, Lets Elope Stakes - Flemington racecourse - Spring Racing Carnival
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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