FEATURE STORY
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. In an extravaganza of racing, the Newmarket Handicap (won by Birdwood), Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Cromis) and Duke of Edinburgh Australian Cup (Sunish) were all run on that royal day, with the Elms Handicap, in two divisions, opening the racing. It was a precursor of Super Saturday. The Adelaide filly Waltzing Lady (VRC Oaks winner) and a colt named Gold Milla took the two divisions of the 1954 Elms Handicap. Des Coleman and Bill Williamson were the winning jockeys. The VRC retained the February race fixture in 1955, introducing Flemington’s very first 5 furlong (1005m) weight-for-age race, the Lightning Stakes. The Elms Handicap reverted to its customary March autumn carnival spot, the distance increased to 10 furlongs (2010m). For a fewyears in the early 1970s the racewas run over 12 furlongs (2414m) before returning to 2000 metres. In the 1980s the weight-for-age Leonard Stakes of 1400 metres, another Flemington autumn race with a long history, was altered to open handicap conditions. The Elms Handicap, no longer needed, transferred to January before disappearing altogether. Subsequently the Leonard underwent several changes of names and conditions, officially under the registered race name “VRC March Stakes”. This year the VRC March Stakes has been repositioned to February, to Black Caviar Lightning Stakes Day, as an open $161,000 Listed Race over 1400 metres. Naturally it needed a different name. And so we welcome back the Elms Handicap. Yes, 122 years after Cornquist, son of Abercorn, won the very first version, the VRC Elms Handicap returns to Flemington.
Birdcage horse area with scratchings board in 1880 (VRC Collection)
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