Fred Best Classic
The Fred Best Classic is a Group 3 race for three-year-olds that takes place annually each May at Eagle Farm racecourse in Brisbane, Queensland. The race is run over a distance of 1350 metres under set weight conditions and is worth $125,000 in prize money. The 2020 Fred Best Classic was taken out by Dawn Passage from Exhilarates with Subpoenaed third.
Formerly known as the BTC Classic', the race name was changed to the Fred Best Classic following the merger of the QTC & BTC race clubs. The race itself is held on the same day as the Group 1 Doomben Cup during the Doomben racing carnival.
Fred Best Classic info
| Date: | Saturday 29th May 2021 |
| Track: | Eagle Farm racecourse, Brisbane |
| Distance: | 1350 metres |
| Race Type: | 3yo - Set Weights |
| Status: | Group 3 |
| Prize Money: | $125,000 |
| 2020 Winner: | Dawn Passage |
The Fred Best Classic is a set weights race for three-year-olds that is generally contested by mostly local horses and the occasional talented visitor. The race itself favours the better gallopers engaged because of the weighted conditions of the race, and more often than not the classier types will figure in the finish.
Three-year-olds who may have previously contested the Gr2 Gold Coast Guineas at the Gold Coast racecourse two weeks earlier might consider tackling the Fred Best Classic.
In recent times both El Cambio (2008) and Gold Edition (2007) have taken out the Gold Coast Guineas & Fred Best Classic double, while Dothraki (3rd in 2014) won the Guineas before running second here, while Leapfrog (2nd in 2009) finished runner-up in both races.
The Gr2 Queensland Guineas at Eagle Farm in June might be next on the agenda for three-year-olds competing in the Fred Best Classic. Niccanova (2017) finished third in the Queensland Guineas after winning this race. Prior to that J Adane (3rd in 2007) was the last galloper to place in both races.
Military Zone (2019) ran second in the Restricted Listed ING Guineas at Scone in provincial New South Wales before heading to Brisbane to win this event in good style for the Peter & Paul Snowden stable.
Recent Fred Best Classic winners include Perast (2018) and Niccanova (2017).
2020 Fred Best Classic result
1. $2.15 Dawn Passage 57.0 Brad Stewart
2. $6.00 Exhilarates 55.0 Larry Cassidy
3. $4.60 Subpoenaed 55.0 Michael Cahill
then followed
4. $17.00 Scathing 57.0 Justin Huxtable
5. $26.00 Stampe 57.0 Sean Cormack
6. $31.00 Garibaldi 57.0 Baylee Nothdurft
7. $10.00 The Odyssey 57.0 Ms Stephanie Thornton
8. $26.00 Bellevue Hill 57.0 Ryan Maloney
9. $81.00 Shadow Of Time 57.0 Dale Smith
10. $31.00 Ready Babe 55.0 Mark Du Plessis
Margins: 0.75 len, 0.75 len
Time: 1:18.83
Other group races held on Fred Best Classic day include the Gr2 Sire Produce Stakes & Gr2 Doomben Roses.
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Fred Best Classic winners & placegetters
| Year | Winner | 2nd | 3rd | Time |
| 2020 | Dawn Passage | Exhilarates | Subpoenaed | 1:18.8 |
| 2019 | Military Zone | Baccarat Baby | Krone | 1:22.0 |
| 2018 | Perast | Assimilate | Mishani Bullitt | 1:19.7 |
| 2017 | Niccanova | Sylpheed | I Thought So | 1:26.5 |
| 2016 | Counterattack | Takedown | Perfect Dare | 1:18.8 |
| 2015 | Najoom | Miss Cover Girl | Awesome Rock | 1:19.0 |
| 2014 | Havana | Into The Red | Dothraki | 1:19.2 |
| 2013 | Platinum Kingdom | Boban | Academus | 1:19.8 |
| 2012 | Mental | Amah Rock | Boys On Tour | 1:19.3 |
| 2011 | Falino | Spirit Of Boom | Skilled | 1:18.8 |
| 2010 | Stryker | Happy Hippy | Graceful Anna | 1:19.1 |
| 2009 | Court | Leapfrog | Geeza | 1:19.4 |
| 2008 | El Cambio | Mr Unforgettable | Diplomatic Force | 1:19.2 |
| 2007 | Gold Edition | Grand Reve | J Adane | 1:17.5 |
| 2006 | La Montagna | Century Serb | Pasikatera | 1:18.0 |
| 2005 | Gumnuts | Rich Megadale | Aqua D Amore | 1:18.8 |
| 2004 | Gallieni | Drunken Joker | Sky Cuddle | 1:18.1 |
| 2003 | Proudly Agro | Brief Embrace | Charlie Bub | 1:18.9 |
| 2002 | Tellson | Gabfest | Acadame | 1:17.8 |
| 2001 | Marlina | Zariz | Johann Lover | 1:19.2 |
| 2000 | Cryptavia | Make Mine Magic | The Kildare Kid | 1:20.7 |
| 1999 | Mr Innocent | Black Bean | Arimathea | 1:17.6 |
| 1998 | Staging | Devers Gold | Stella Cadente | 1:20.9 |
| 1997 | Crafty Beau | Fotgotten Hero | Anthems | 1:18.2 |
| 1996 | Proud Player | Quick Flick | Ravarda | 1:19.5 |
| 1995 | Chief De Beers | Danasinga | Don Pasquale | 1:18.7 |
| 1994 | Ferragamo | Mistador | Yarradorf | 1:19.9 |
| 1993 | Affirmed Star | Best Weapon | Hidden Saint | 1:19.1 |
| 1992 | Social Rule | Bound To Play | Prince Of Marscay | 1:19.0 |
| 1991 | Committal | Brunchtime | Royal Saga | 1:18.8 |
| 1990 | Jonaron | Maryvale Boy | Bassies Pride | 1:18.9 |
| 1989 | Spot The Rock | Ballook | Aces And Kings | 1:18.6 |
| 1988 | McGintys Crown | Sea Cabin | Luskin Court | 1:19.1 |
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