Frederick Clissold Stakes

Southern Cross Stakes

Held right at the start of Sydney’s most anticipated series of race meetings, the Autumn Carnival, the Southern Cross Stakes (formerly the Frederick Clissold Stakes) is a Group 3 race conducted at the Royal Randwick Racecourse on the Royal Sovereign Stakes Day.

Although no Group 1 races are held on the day there is still a range of other great group races to get the spectators and bettors revved up and ready for the rest of the carnival. The Group 2 Royal Sovereign Stakes, Light Fingers Stakes and Breeders Classic are all held at this meeting, so it is packed full of variety!

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Punters are always keen to get started with the great betting action the carnival offers, and the Frederick Clissold Stakes, now registered under the name the Southern Cross Stakes, is an excellent way to start. The quality of the field and the handicap conditions of the race draw a good field of sprinters, and although the superstars of Australian racing are usually not involved in the race, the competition is still stiff and the pace of the race is quick, captivating the attention of the crowds.

Many runners in the Southern Cross Stakes will continue on to the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup run over 1300 meters a few weeks later.

Lead Up Races:

In regards to lead-up races to watch for the Southern Cross Stakes, there are not any run under the same conditions in the Sydney Carnival as the race takes place so early in the season, but keep an eye on the runners who performed well in the last year’s Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, including the Group 3 Bobbie Lewis held on Makybe Diva Stakes Day, which is run under the same quality handicap conditions and over the exact 1200 metre distance.

Other Melbourne Spring Carnival races that entries into the Southern Cross Stakes (once known as the Frederick Clissold Stakes) often run in include the Group 3 Chatham Stakes (1400m) and the Sandown Stakes (1500m), both quality handicap events held in October to November.

Horses carrying around 53 to 55 kilograms have dominated the Southern Cross Stakes over the last decade, with the past three winners all carrying 53kg to victory.

History:

The race was first run in 1940, making it one of the oldest and most established races of the carnival. It began as a Principal race run over six furlongs and registered under the name the RRC Frederick Clissold Handicap.

It was elevated to a Listed status race in 1980, before reaching its existing Group 3 status in 1989. In 1993 the race was call the STC Anniversary Cup, and returned to its original title the following year.

One year later the race name was again changed to the Frederick Clissold Quality, before again reverting back to the original name.

In 2000 the race name changed the Frederick Clissold Stakes, then  in 2003 it was run as the Premier Express Freight Stakes, and finally from 2009 it was renamed to its current title, the AJC Southern Cross Stakes.

The Southern Cross Stakes is an excellent opportunity to get in on the Sydney Autumn Carnival betting action early and see what Australian racing is all about!