Horse race
Herbert Power Stakes Location Caulfield Racecourse Inaugurated 1898 (as Eclipse Stakes) Race type Thoroughbred Sponsor Neds (2023)Distance 2,400 metres Surface Turf Track Left-handed Qualification Three years old and older that are not maidens Weight Quality handicap Purse $ 300,000 (2023)Bonuses Winner exempt from ballot in the Caulfield Cup
The Herbert Power Stakes is a Melbourne Racing Club Group 2 Thoroughbred horse race held under quality handicap conditions, for horses aged three years old and older, over a distance of 2400 metres. It is held at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne , Australia . Prizemoney is A$ 300,000.[ 1]
History
The race was named after former Victoria Amateur Turf Club Chairman and thoroughbred owner Herbert Power (1833–1919), who was instrumental in the formation of the sport of racing in the early days of the Colony of Victoria . He joined the original Melbourne Club in 1859 and played an integral part in the merger in 1864 of the Victorian Turf Club and Victorian Jockey club to form today's Victoria Racing Club . In 1875, he was one of a band of racing enthusiasts who founded the Victoria Amateur Turf Club. He was a member of the VATC committee, and he was chairman in 1889, 1896 and 1907. When he retired from the committee he was appointed one of the trustees of the Caulfield racecourse. He was one of the auditors of the VRC from 1880 until 1905.[ 2]
The race is considered an important lead-up to the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups .
Poseidon , 1906 & 1907 winner
Outlook, 1918 winner
During World War II the race was run at Flemington Racecourse .[ 3]
Name
1898–1919 - Eclipse Stakes
1920–1992 - Herbert Power Handicap
1993–1996 - Quick-Eze Stakes
1997 - Perrier Mineral Water Stakes
1998–1999 - Perrier Stakes
2000 - Herbert Power Stakes
2001–08 - Winning Edge Presentations Stakes
2009 onwards - Herbert Power Stakes
Distance
1898–1899 - 1 mile (~1600 metres)
1900–1919 - 13 ⁄8 miles (~2200 metres)
1920–1971 - 11 ⁄2 miles (~2400 metres)
1972 onwards - 2400 metres
Grade
1898–1978 - Principal Race
1979–1980 - Group 3
1981 onwards - Group 2
Doubles wins
The following thoroughbreds have won the Herbert Power Stakes – Melbourne Cup double in the same year.
Rogan Josh (1999), Arwon (1978), Van Der Hum (1976), Gala Supreme (1973), Sirius (1944) and Poseidon (1906)
The following thoroughbreds have won the Herbert Power Stakes – Caulfield Cup double in the same year.
Master O'Reilly (2007), Beer Street (1970), Rising Fast (1955), My Hero (1953), Poseidon twice (1906 and 1907), Marvel Loch (1905)
1948 racebook
Front cover 1948 Caulfield Guineas racebook
Inside cover showing raceday officials & enclosure notices
1948 Caulfield Guineas page showing raceday notices
1948 Herbert Power Handicap page showing the winner, Howe
1948 Herbert Power Handicap page starters and results
Back cover showing railway arrangements and admission fares
Winners
^ Shewan finished first in 2011 but was disqualified in 2021 due to prohibited ownership of the horse at the time of running.
See also
References