The prestigious Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival runs from February to the end of April every year and is the most exciting and highly anticipated event on the New South Wales racing calendar. Hosting an impressive number of elite race days, the carnival is host to some of the elite Group races in Australia including the AJC Sires Produce Stakes.
Run over 1,400 metres, the AJC Sires Produce is raced by the countries up-and-coming two-year-old horses at set weights. It is the first opportunity for trainers to test their young horses at a distance over 1,200 metres in the autumn season, and often establishes the future racing champions. Some of Australia’s best gallopers have won this race early in their careers including Dance Hero (2004), Victory Vein (2002), Encounter (1997) and Octagonal (1995). Octagonal is one of the most notable winners, as he went on to have an impressive career that included victories in the W S Cos Plate in 1995, the Rosehill Guineas in 1996, The Australian Derby in 1996 and the Australian Cup in 1997. The AJC Sires Produce is often the next stop for horses that ran in the Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill the previous fortnight, so check out the winner there for a guide to this slightly longer distanced race.
History
One of the longest running races of the Autumn Carnival, the AJC Sires Produce Stakes was first run in 1867 when Glencoe claimed victory. Starting off as a Principal race run over seven furlongs, the AJC Sires Produce Stakes was upgraded to its Group 1 status in 1980. The race is held on the Doncaster Handicap Day, which is one of the most lucrative and important of all the meetings and the second last race day of the Autumn Carnival. The Group 1 AJC Sires Produce Stakes, worth $300,000, shares the Randwick racecourse meet with other esteemed races including the Doncaster Handicap, TJ Smith Stakes and the AJC Australian Oaks.
Betting
The AJC Sires Produce Stakes is an excellent race for punters to watch in anticipation of the Group 1 Champagne Stakes. The Champagne Stakes is held a week later on the final race day of the Randwick autumn carnival, and many a winner or placegetter in the AJC Sires Produce has continued their success at the Champagne Stakes; including runners-up Samantha Miss (2003) and Meurice (2007) both continuing on to win the Champagne Steaks. A popular and well paying wager is the Sires Produce/Champagne Stakes double and horses to win both races in the same season include Dance Hero (2004), Hasna (2003), Victory Vein (2002), Viscount (2001), and Assertive Lad (2000). So make sure you check out the odds open on this double for a great way to increase the excitement in the last week of the carnival!
Another fantastic betting opportunity for punters is the two-year-old Triple Crown, of which the AJC Sires Produce is the middle race. The Golden Slipper Stakes and the Champagne Stakes are the other two events to make up this triple wager, and to select a horse to win all three races successfully is one of the most lucrative bets on the market!
AJC Sires Produce Stakes Winners
Race Information
When – Mid April
Where – Randwick Racecourse, Sydney
Distance – 1400 metres
Status – Group 1
Race Type – 2YO Open Set Weights
Weights – Colts & Geldings 56.5kg / Fillies 54.5kg
Stakes – $300,000
Get involved in one of the Sydney Autumn Carnival’s most enthralling race days and place a bet on your favourite two-year-old for the AJC Sires Produce Stakes!
