Group 2 race | |
1955 winner – Rising Fast
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Location | Caulfield Racecourse |
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Inaugurated | 1898 (as Eclipse Stakes) |
Race type | Thoroughbred |
Sponsor | Ladbrokes (2016) |
Race information | |
Distance | 2,400 metres |
Surface | Turf |
Track | Left-handed |
Qualification | Three years old and older that are not maidens |
Weight | Quality handicap |
Purse | $400,000 (2016) |
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$400,000.
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.
The race is considered an important lead-up to the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
During World War II the race was run at Flemington Racecourse.
The following thoroughbreds have won the Herbert Power Stakes – Melbourne Cup double in the same year.
The following thoroughbreds have won the Herbert Power Stakes – Caulfield Cup double in the same year.
† Run in divisions