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The VRC Queen's Elizabeth Stakes - recently run as the Queen's Cup - is a Group 3 staying event held at Flemington Racecourse on Champions Stakes Day.
2023 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (VRC) Results
- 1st: #9 Muramasa
- 2nd: #1 Ladies Man
- 3rd: #2 Duke De Seassa
VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes News
- 2021 Mackinnon Stakes Day: Flemington Scratchings & Track Report
- No Melbourne Cup For Moonee Valley Gold Cup Winner Lunar Flare
- 2020 Melbourne Cup Target for Queen Elizabeth Stakes Winner True Self
- 2019 Mackinnon Stakes Day: Flemington Scratchings & Track Report
- True Self Chases Melbourne Cup Consolation in Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2019
The 2023 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes – recently run as the Queen’s Cup – is a 2600m quality handicap held at Flemington Racecourse on the first Saturday of November as part of Champions Stakes Day.
A Group 3 event, the VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes – not to be confused with the Group 1 ATC Queen Elizabeth Stakes held at Randwick in the autumn – pays $300,000 total prize money.
It is one of the more lucrative Group 3 events held during the Melbourne Cup Carnival and also offers an additional bonus to any horse that was paid up for at final acceptances stage but was ballot out of the Melbourne Cup field.
Irish-trained mare True Self (2019) was the last Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner to collect on the bonus. True Self returned in 2020 and successfully defended her VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes title.
The Queen Elizabeth Stakes is held on the fourth and final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, and runs alongside a host of other black-type events. These include the Group 1 VRC Champions Stakes (2000m), the Group 1 Champions Sprint (1200m), Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) and the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m).
Heading into the VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes, horses might contest a variety of different races including the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and the Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m), both popular lead up races. Some horses also back up from the Melbourne Cup to contest this event looking for a consolation prize just four days after the ‘Race That Stops A Nation’ is run and won.
Following the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) is a fairly common target. Some horses choose to rest prior to the Summer Racing Carnival or even until the autumn.
The 2021 Queen Elizabeth Stakes form was franked with the runner-up Sound going on to win the Sandown Classic next start, while Wentwood ran third in both events.
The 2023 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes ran on Saturday November 11, 2023 on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival and was won in a barnstorming finish by the Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young-trained favourite Muramasa ($4.40F) who put over two lengths on his rivals to make it three wins on the trot.
| VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2023 | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Saturday November 11, 2023 |
| Track: | Flemington Racecourse |
| Distance: | 2600m |
| Race Type: | Open Quality Handicap |
| Status: | Group 3 |
| Prize money: | $300,000 |
2023 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes Results
- 1st: #9 Muramasa
- 2nd: #1 Ladies Man
- 3rd: #2 Duke De Sessa
The flying Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young-trained Deep Impact four-year-old Muramasa ($4.40F) made it three straight wins this prep backing up from his last start Group 3 Coongy Cup victory at Caulfield last month to come through 250m out from the line and charge home for an impressive 2.5 length victory on Stakes Day in the 2023 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes results.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 | MURAMASA | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Daniel Moor | 7 | 54kg | $4.40F | |||
| 2 | 1 | LADIES MAN (NZ) | Allan Sharrock | Opie Bosson | 2.5L | 1 | 58kg | $13 | ||
| 3 | 2 | DUKE DE SESSA (IRE) | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | John Allen | 3L | 2 | 57.5kg | $4.60 | ||
| 4 | 7 | REGAL POWER | John Leek (Jnr) | Michael Dee | 3.75L | 5 | 54.5kg | $14 | ||
| 5 | 5 | AMADE (IRE) | Phillip Stokes | Zac Spain | 3.85L | 9 | 56kg | $9.50 | ||
| 6 | 14 | PESTO (GB) | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Jye McNeil | 5.1L | 12 | 54kg | $26 | ||
| 7 | 3 | KNIGHTS ORDER (IRE) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 5.85L | 4 | 57.5kg | $21 | ||
| 8 | 8 | KUKERACHA (NZ) | Chris Waller | Craig Williams | 7.35L | 8 | 54kg | $18 | ||
| 9 | 11 | SO DAZZLING (NZ) | John Sargent | Dean Yendall | 7.45L | 10 | 54kg | $9.50 | ||
| 10 | 4 | LUNCIES (GB) | Kris Lees | Mark Zahra | 8.2L | 13 | 57.5kg | $7.50 | ||
| 11 | 6 | HEZASHOCKA (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Beau Mertens | 9.45L | 6 | 55.5kg | $20 | ||
| 12 | 12 | PORT PHILIP (IRE) | Julius Sandhu | Kerrin McEvoy | 9.55L | 3 | 54kg | $41 | ||
| 13 | 10 | THIRD REALM (GB) | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Ms Jamie Kah | 9.65L | 11 | 54kg | $26 | ||
| 13 | TARAMANSOUR (IRE) | Phillip Stokes | Harry Coffey | 0 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2023 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes Betting Odds
See below for the latest VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2023 odds, betting provided by Ladbrokes.com.au with links to the market to back your VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes tips in at the right price.
Warning ($3.40 in 2021), Soulcombe ($3 in 2022) – who was first-up down under as an import for the Chris Waller stable and who would return in 2023 to run second in the Melbourne Cup results – and Muramasa ($4.40 in 2023) are the latest Queen Elizabeth Stakes favourites in Melbourne to salute for the punters.
CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST 2023 QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES (VRC) ODDS (Final Field)
2023 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes Form Guide
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2023 QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES (VRC) FORM GUIDE
2023 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes Tips
- To Win: #5 Amade ($9 at time of publish) – BET NOW
Bit of value in the Phillip Stokes-trained veteran 10-year-old Amade to make it two wins on the trot with the galloper last seen taking out the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m). The genuine stayer has winning form up to 3400m in the past so the extra metres here are a non-issue. At Geelong he defeated Ashrun for the win and that horse went on to finish an eye-catching fourth in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup results. That looks some strong form lines in an easier grade race here.
2023 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes Field
The VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes field attracts a fairly handy selection of horses. As it is raced over a relatively lengthy staying distance of 2600m, the Queen Elizabeth Stakes field tends to fill out with experienced staying types who can handle the longer distances and have a few Group wins under their belt.
Good lead-up races into the Queen Elizabeth Stakes field include the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m), the Group 3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) and even the Group 3 Lexus Archer Stakes (2500m) a week before at the track on Derby Day.
In 2017 the Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Vengeur Masque previous won the Geelong Cup and came off a second in the Lexus Stakes. True Self (2019) meanwhile improved on a first-up Geelong Cup second before her VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes win.
The 2023 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes field and barriers are released by Racing Victoria on the Wednesday before Stakes Day and will be published in full below once announced.
The Queen Elizabeth Stakes (VRC) 2023 final field features a quality line-up of spring stayers including Geelong Cup winner Amade and the in-form Coongy Cup champ Muramasa chasing a third win on the trot.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1413×32216 | LADIES MAN (NZ) | Allan Sharrock | Opie Bosson | 1 | 58kg | 105 | ||
| 2 | x131x8x069 | DUKE DE SESSA (IRE) | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | John Allen | 2 | 57.5kg | 104 | ||
| 3 | 9x8663x000 | KNIGHTS ORDER (IRE) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 5 | 57.5kg | 104 | ||
| 4 | x22418x984 | LUNCIES (GB) | Kris Lees | Mark Zahra | 14 | 57.5kg | 104 | ||
| 5 | x83300x951 | AMADE (IRE) | Phillip Stokes | Zac Spain | 10 | 56kg | 101 | ||
| 6 | 05420×8070 | HEZASHOCKA (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Beau Mertens | 7 | 55.5kg | 100 | ||
| 7 | x70x050296 | REGAL POWER | John Leek (Jnr) | Michael Dee | 6 | 54.5kg | 98 | ||
| 8 | 05314×7096 | KUKERACHA (NZ) | Chris Waller | Craig Williams | 9 | 54kg | 97 | ||
| 9 | 725x900x11 | MURAMASA | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Daniel Moor | 8 | 54kg | 97 | ||
| 10 | 19x64x069x | THIRD REALM (GB) | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Ms Jamie Kah | 12 | 54kg | 97 | ||
| 11 | 820200×705 | SO DAZZLING (NZ) | John Sargent | Dean Yendall | 11 | 54kg | 92 | ||
| 12 | 3x0100x758 | PORT PHILIP (IRE) | Julius Sandhu | Kerrin McEvoy | 3 | 54kg | 88 | ||
| 13 | x6925x1153 | TARAMANSOUR (IRE) | Phillip Stokes | Harry Coffey | 4 | 54kg | 85 | ||
| 14 | 05926×4617 | PESTO (GB) | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Jye McNeil | 13 | 54kg | 84 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2023 Queen Elizabeth Stakes Nominations
Early Queen Elizabeth Stakes (VRC) 2023 nominations for the Stakes Day race at Flemington in November close the Monday leading-up to the event.
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Ballot | Weight | True Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | x69x00x059 | ALENQUER (FR) | G | 6 | Michael Moroney | 1 | 59.5kg | 59.5kg | 109 | |
| 2 | 6x50x49621 | CLEVELAND (IRE) | H | 6 | Kris Lees | 2 | 57.5kg | 57.5kg | 105 | |
| 3 | 1413×32216 | LADIES MAN (NZ) | G | 6 | Allan Sharrock | 3 | 57.5kg | 57.5kg | 105 | |
| 4 | 5x0x06x906 | MAGICAL LAGOON (IRE) | M | 5 | Chris Waller | 4 | 55kg | 55kg | 104 | |
| 5 | x131x8x069 | DUKE DE SESSA (IRE) | H | 5 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 5 | 57kg | 57kg | 104 | |
| 6 | x22418x984 | LUNCIES (GB) | G | 7 | Kris Lees | 6 | 57kg | 57kg | 104 | |
| 7 | 9x8663x000 | KNIGHTS ORDER (IRE) | G | 9 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 7 | 57kg | 57kg | 104 | |
| 8 | 213x3L7331 | KALAPOUR (IRE) | G | 7 | Kris Lees | 8 | 56.5kg | 56.5kg | 103 | |
| 9 | 2x295x0808 | SHERAZ (FR) | G | 7 | Chris Waller | 9 | 55.5kg | 55.5kg | 101 | |
| 10 | x83300x951 | AMADE (IRE) | G | 10 | Phillip Stokes | 10 | 55.5kg | 55.5kg | 101 | |
| 11 | 1265x728x5 | MORE FELONS (IRE) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | 11 | 55kg | 55kg | 100 | |
| 12 | 05420×8070 | HEZASHOCKA (NZ) | G | 6 | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | 12 | 55kg | 55kg | 100 | |
| 13 | x70x050296 | REGAL POWER | G | 8 | John Leek (Jnr) | 13 | 54kg | 54kg | 98 | |
| 14 | 725x900x11 | MURAMASA | G | 4 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 14 | 54kg | 53.5kg | 97 | |
| 15 | 05314×7096 | KUKERACHA (NZ) | G | 6 | Chris Waller | 15 | 54kg | 53.5kg | 97 | |
| 16 | 19x64x069x | THIRD REALM (GB) | G | 6 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | 16 | 54kg | 53.5kg | 97 | |
| 17 | 7043100×00 | TIMOUR (FR) | G | 6 | Chris Waller | 17 | 54kg | 52kg | 94 | |
| 18 | 820200×705 | SO DAZZLING (NZ) | M | 4 | John Sargent | 18 | 54kg | 49kg | 92 | |
| 19 | 22110×8038 | REBEL RACER | G | 7 | Amy & Ash Yargi | 19 | 54kg | 50.5kg | 91 | |
| 20 | 12x18x7404 | MR WATERVILLE (IRE) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | 20 | 54kg | 49.5kg | 89 | |
| 21 | 3x0100x758 | PORT PHILIP (IRE) | G | 6 | Julius Sandhu | 21 | 54kg | 49kg | 88 | |
| 22 | x6925x1153 | TARAMANSOUR (IRE) | G | 7 | Phillip Stokes | 22 | 54kg | 47.5kg | 85 | |
| 23 | 05926×4617 | PESTO (GB) | G | 8 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 23 | 54kg | 47kg | 84 | |
| 24 | 7x51330x78 | HARMYSIAN (GB) | G | 7 | Clayton Douglas | 24 | 54kg | 44kg | 78 | |
| 25 | 14×31122 | INSULATION (GB) | G | 5 | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | 25 | 54kg | 40.5kg | 71 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes History
The VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes is a very old race. Inaugurated in 1854, it is seven years older than the Melbourne Cup and almost as prestigious. Originally known as the Queen’s Plate and until recently the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, it was first run over 24 furlongs, which is the equivalent of around 4800m.
In its long history, there have been only two dead heats. The first was in 1895, between Wallace and Auraria. The second was more recently in 1997, between Vita Man and Bright Spot.
Throughout its history, the VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes has not been held on a total of eight years.
The 2019 and 2020 editions saw Irish-trained mare True Self post back-to-back wins.
The VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes has been through many name changes since its inception, which are documented below.
| Period | Name |
|---|---|
| 2023 | VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
| 2022 | Queen’s Cup |
| 2016 – 2021 | VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
| 2015 | Queen’s Cup |
| 2011-2014 | Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
| 2010 | Queen’s Cup |
| 1986-2009 | Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
| 1985 | Queen’s Cup |
| 1979-1984 | Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
| 1975-1978 | C.B. Fisher Plate |
| 1974 | Queen’s Cup |
| 1970-1973 | C.B. Fisher Plate |
| 1969 | Queen’s Cup |
| 1895-1968 | C.B. Fisher Plate |
| 1875-1894 | Canterbury Plate |
| 1873-1874 | Flemington Plate |
| 1854-1872 | Queen’s Plate |
Along with multiple name changes, the VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes has also changed distance multiple times. The various distances of the VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes / Queen’s Cup are documented below.
| Period | Distance |
|---|---|
| 2010-now | 2600m |
| 1973-2009 | 2500m |
| 1972 | 2400m |
| 1895-1971 | 12 furlongs |
| 1890-1894 | 16 furlongs |
| 1889 | 18 furlongs |
| 1888 | 24 furlongs |
| 1886-1887 | 16 furlongs |
| 1885 | 20 furlongs |
| 1881-1884 | 16 furlongs |
| 1880 | 18 furlongs |
| 1879 | 16 furlongs |
| 1877-1878 | 18 furlongs |
| 1875-1876 | 16 furlongs |
| 1854-1874 | 24 furlongs |
*A furlong is approximately 200 metres.
A number of very impressive horses have taken out the honours in the VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes / Queen’s Cup.
Winners include Tim Whiffler (1867), Wakeful (1902), Alawa (1908, 09, 10), Eurythmic (1920), Phar Lap (1930), Ajax (1938), High Caste (1939, 40, 41), Rising Fast (1954, 55), Even Stevens (1962), Hyperno (1979), and Makybe Diva (2002) amongst many others. Queen’s Cup / VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes results, winners and winning times since 2000 are provided below.
VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes / Queen’s Cup Results
| Year | Place | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
1st | Muramasa | 2 minutes 42.26 seconds |
| 2nd | Ladies Man | ||
| 3rd | Duke De Sessa | ||
| 2022 Queen’s Cup |
1st | Soulcombe | 2 minutes 43.87 seconds |
| 2nd | Luncies | ||
| 3rd | Captain Envious | ||
| 2021 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
1st | Warning | 2 minutes 44. 69 seconds |
| 2nd | Sound | ||
| 3rd | Wentwood | ||
| 2020 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
1st | True Self | 2 minutes 44.99 seconds |
| 2nd | Pondus | ||
| 3rd | Chapada | ||
| 2019 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
1st | True Self | 2 minutes 45.42 seconds |
| 2nd | Carif | ||
| 3rd | Maurus | ||
| 2018 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
1st | Jaameh | 2 minutes 45.09 seconds |
| 2nd | Sully | ||
| 3rd | Libran | ||
| 2017 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
1st | Vengeur Masque | 2 minutes 42.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Grey Lion | ||
| 3rd | Wheal Leisure | ||
| 2016 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
1st | Francis Of Assisi | 2 minutes 41.1 seconds |
| 2nd | Vengeur Masque | ||
| 3rd | Tom Melbourne | ||
| 2015 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
1st | Dandino | 2 minutes 46.93 seconds |
| 2nd | Secret Number | ||
| 3rd | Don Doremo | ||
| 2014 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
1st | Le Roi | 2 minutes 43.1 seconds |
| 2nd | Prince Of Penzance | ||
| 3rd | Big Memory | ||
| 2013 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
1st | Precedence | 2 minutes 46.4 seconds |
| 2nd | Sertorius | ||
| 3rd | Let’s Make Adeal | ||
| 2012 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
1st | Puissance De Lune | 2 minutes 44.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Ironstein | ||
| 3rd | Tanby | ||
| 2011 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
1st | Ironstein | 2 minutes 44.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Shootoff | ||
| 3rd | Paddy O’Reilly | ||
| 2010 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
1st | Moudre | 2 minutes 45.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Capecover | ||
| 3rd | Persian Star | ||
| 2009 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
1st | Sterling Prince | 2 minutes 34.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Crossthestart | ||
| 3rd | Naval Escort | ||
| 2008 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
1st | Capecover | 2 minutes 38.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Light Vision | ||
| 3rd | Baughurst | ||
| 2007 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
1st | Zavite | 2 minutes 38.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Cefalu | ||
| 3rd | Completion | ||
| 2006 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
1st | Gallant Guru | 2 minutes 40.6 seconds |
| 2nd | Magic Instinct | ||
| 3rd | Fooram | ||
| 2005 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
1st | Our Smoking Joe | 2 minutes 33.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Coalesce | ||
| 3rd | Grey Song | ||
| 2004 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
1st | Fantastic Love | 2 minutes 44.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Manawa King | ||
| 3rd | Da Capo | ||
| 2003 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
1st | Zazzman | 2 minutes 37.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Lord Erin | ||
| 3rd | Delvecchio | ||
| 2002 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
1st | Makybe Diva | 2 minutes 35.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Spirit Of Westbury | ||
| 3rd | Time Off | ||
| 2001 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
1st | Hatha Anna | 2 minutes 40.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Ascana | ||
| 3rd | Tiger’s Eye | ||
| 2000 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
1st | Savrocca | 2 minutes 37.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Ultra Smug | ||
| 3rd | Mayshiel | ||
