The Patinack Farm Classic is a Group 1 horse race held at the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne every November. Taking place on the Saturday after the Melbourne Cup it forms part of the Spring Racing Carnival, and is open to horses three-years-old and over in a weight-for-age structure spanning 1,200 metres. The Classic is considered a premier sprint event, drawing the best sprinters around, with prize money of $500,000 and a $2,500 trophy.
Patinack Farm Classic Information
- Date: November
- Carnival: Melbourne Cup Carnival
- Racecourse: Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne
- Distance: 1,200 metres
- Race Type: 3YO Plus, Weight-For-Age
- Group Listing: Group 1
- Prize Money: $500,000
Patinack Farm Classic History
The Patinack Farm Classic was first run in 1868, over six furlongs as a Principal race, with Gulnare taking the top spot. In 1887 it became a seven furlong race, increasing in 1908 to eight, before going back to seven in 1968. In conjunction with Australia’s conversion to the metric system, the Classic became 1,400 metres in 1972, before becoming its current 1,200 metre distance in 1992. The Patinack Farm Classic became a Group 2 race in 1979 and found its Group 1 status in 2007.
The Classic has had many different names being The Flying Stakes, Linlithgow Stakes, Emirates Classic, Lexus Classic, The Age Classic and since 2008 has been the Patinack Farm Classic. Also in 2008 the race became part of the Global Sprint Challenge Series, taking the spot of seventh length. The Classic did not become part of the Melbourne Cup Carnival until 1960. The fastest time recorded at the event since 1988 is 1.07.10 by Rubitano in 2002.
