Expressway Stakes

The Expressway Stakes is a Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival Group 2 currently held on Apollo Stakes Day at Randwick in February as a lead-up to the Group 1 autumn races.

2024 Expressway Stakes Results

  • 1st: #1 King Of Sparta
  • 2nd: #2 Coal Crusher
  • 3rd: #6 Malkovich



The Expressway Stakes is a Group 2 event raced over 1200m at set weights plus penalties, open to sprinters aged three and over. Currently held at Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse in mid-February, the Expressway Stakes is one of Sydney’s first key lead-up autumn races of the New Year and suits horses that are in good form and ready for a new season of racing.

Previously, the Expressway Stakes served as a good lead-up to the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m).

In 2024 however the Expressway Stakes was moved from January at Rosehill to take place at Randwick on February’s Apollo Stakes Day card. 

Horses may come into the Expressway Stakes first-up and continue onto tougher autumn feature races such as the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m).

Savatiano (2021) was the last runner to complete the Expressway Stakes – Canterbury Stakes double.

The Expressway Stakes also serves as a good lead-up into the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) held in mid-March. Mentality (2007) was the last horse to do the Expressway Stakes – Randwick Guineas double. More recently, Trapeze Artist won the 2018 Expressway Stakes before a third in the Randwick Guineas. He also went on to win the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes – All Aged Stakes double in Randwick that April as well as the following year’s Canterbury Stakes.

In 2019 class mare Alizee won the Expressway Stakes first-up before winning Caulfield’s Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) in Melbourne and running third in the inaugural All-Star Mile (1600m).

Alizee returned for the 2020 Expressway Stakes and ran second to Standout.

The 2022 Expressway Stakes form was franked with the second-placed mare Forbidden Love going on to win the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes – Group 1 George Ryder Stakes double that autumn before a fourth in the Doncaster Mile results.

The form from the 2022 Expressway was further franked with the third place-getter Anamoe winning an impressive five Group 1 races later that year including most famously the iconic Cox Plate at The Valley in October.

The Expressway Stakes winner in 2023 franked the form with Mariamia going on to win the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) later that prep.

The Expressway Stakes 2024 ran on Saturday February 17, 2024 at Randwick Gardens, moved from Rosehill in 2024, as a lead-up to the Group 1 sprints of the autumn and was won in an impressive finish by Team Snowden’s last start $1 million Magic Millions Sprint winner King Of Sparta ($4).

2024 Expressway Stakes
Date: Saturday February 17, 2024
Track: Randwick Racecourse
Distance: 1200m
Race Type: Set Weights + Penalties
Status: Group 2
Prize Money: $300,000

2024 Expressway Results

  • 1st: #1 King Of Sparta ($4)
  • 2nd: #2 Coal Crusher
  • 3rd: #6 Malkovich

King Of Sparta ($4), the barnstorming sprinter trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, continued his winning ways with a commanding victory in the 2024 Expressway Stakes results at Randwick. Fresh off his Magic Millions Sprint triumph five weeks earlier, the in-form gelding roared from behind in the final furlong, claiming his first ever Sydney Saturday win. This dominant performance solidifies his position as a major contender for the upcoming $5 million The Quokka in Western Australia this April.

Click here to read more on the impressive Expressway win by The Quokka slot holder King Of Sparta.

2024 Expressway Stakes Results & Finishing Order

Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price
1 1 KING OF SPARTA Peter & Paul Snowden James McDonald 2 57.5kg $4
2 2 COAL CRUSHER Joseph Pride Tyler Schiller 0.42L 5 57.5kg $10
3 6 MALKOVICH Bjorn Baker Joshua Parr 0.76L 4 56kg $13
4 4 BUENOS NOCHES Matthew Smith Nash Rawiller 1.42L 6 56.5kg (cd 57kg) $1.75F
5 5 STRAIT ACER Edward Cummings Tommy Berry 3.82L 3 56kg $17
6 7 WEST OF DALBY Benjamin Smith Brock Ryan 4.66L 7 51kg $51
7 3 GOLDEN MILE James Cummings Zac Lloyd (a) 5.54L 1 57.5kg $11

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

2024 Expressway Stakes Odds & Betting

The Expressway Stakes 2024 odds will be published below as soon as betting on the Group 2 at Randwick is released.

Savatiano ($2.10 in 2021) was the last favourite in Expressway Stakes betting to salute for the punters.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST 2024 EXPRESSWAY STAKES ODDS (Final Field)

2024 Expressway Stakes Form Guide

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2024 EXPRESSWAY STAKES FORM GUIDE

2024 Expressway Stakes Tips

Stay tuned for our insider Expressway Stakes 2024 Tips on the popular Group 2 Sydney sprint this February.

  • To Win: #1 King Of Sparta ($2.60 at time of publish) – BET NOW

The imposing King Of Sparta emerges as a leading contender after his dominant two-length victory in the Magic Millions Sprint last month. While kept fresh since then, a winning trial at Rosehill suggests he’s primed for this Group 2 challenge. His ideal draw in barrier two, coupled with the in-form James McDonald in the saddle, adds further confidence in a small field. With two fourth-place finishes in Group 1 races, King Of Sparta boasts undeniable class. While Randwick may not be his ideal track, the winnable event presents a stepping stone for the upcoming autumn Group 1 sprints.

2024 Expressway Stakes Field

The Expressway Stakes field attracts a top class line-up of early autumn sprint types, many eyeing Group 1 autumn races later in the season.

The 2024 Expressway Stakes field is set for release on the Wednesday leading-up to the race and will be made available in full below.

The Expressway Stakes 2024 final field features a small but quality line-up of sprinters with the returning Matthew Smith-trained Buenos Noches last seen running second in Flemington’s Group 1 Champions Sprint heading the markets fresh.

No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Probable Weight Penalty Hcp Rating
1 14624×2821 KING OF SPARTA Peter & Paul Snowden James McDonald 2 57.5kg 110
2 3410x3441x COAL CRUSHER Joseph Pride Tyler Schiller 5 57.5kg 109
3 00x901393x GOLDEN MILE James Cummings Zac Lloyd (a) 1 57.5kg 108
4 3x57x1382x BUENOS NOCHES Matthew Smith Nash Rawiller 6 56.5kg 111
5 x18111243x STRAIT ACER Edward Cummings Tommy Berry 3 56kg 106
6 5x1576x363 MALKOVICH Bjorn Baker Joshua Parr 4 56kg 100
7 189x05121x WEST OF DALBY Benjamin Smith Brock Ryan 7 51kg 79

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

2024 Expressway Stakes Nominations

The Expressway Stakes nominations are usually announced on the Monday prior to the race.

Because of it’s a major lead up race to later feature events, the Expressway Stakes nominations usually include a high number of horses who are intent on an extended Autumn Racing Carnival campaign in both Sydney and Melbourne.

Last 10 Horse Sex Age Trainer Ballot Weight True Weight Penalty Hcp Rating
1 3x57x1382x BUENOS NOCHES H 4 Matthew Smith 1 56.5kg 111
2 342151120x CEPHEUS (GB) G 7 Matthew Dunn 2= 57.5kg 110
3 14624×2821 KING OF SPARTA G 5 Peter & Paul Snowden 2= 57.5kg 110
4 3410x3441x COAL CRUSHER G 6 Joseph Pride 4 57.5kg 109
5 00x901393x GOLDEN MILE H 4 James Cummings 5 57.5kg 108
6 x18111243x STRAIT ACER G 4 Edward Cummings 6 56kg 106
7 x2162x116x VIENNA PRINCESS M 4 Chris Waller 7 55.5kg 105
8 1x419x646x ZOUGOTCHA M 4 Chris Waller 8 55.5kg 104
9 407x28047x MADAME POMMERY M 4 Chris Waller 9 54kg 102
10 5x1576x363 MALKOVICH G 6 Bjorn Baker 10 56kg 100
11 189x05121x WEST OF DALBY F 3 Benjamin Smith 11 51kg 79
12 10x MANWE C 3 Anthony Cummings 12 53kg 65

Table Credit: Racing Australia. 

Expressway Stakes History

First held in 1974 as a principal race, the Expressway Stakes was won by I’m Scarlet and remained that status until 1979 when it became a Group 2 race.

Between 1975 and 1980, the Expressway Stakes was run over a distance of 1100m before being moved out to 1200m.

Plenty of top class gallopers have taken out the race and notable Expressway Stakes winners include Saintly (1996), Tie The Knot (2001), Lonhro (2003), Rangirangdoo (2010), and Appearance (2014).

The Expressway Stakes winners and results going back to 2000 are listed below.

Recent Expressway Stakes Winners

Year Place Horse Time
2024
Expressway Stakes
1st King Of Sparta 1 minute 9.17 seconds
2nd Coal Crusher
3rd Malkovich
2023
Expressway Stakes
1st Mariamia 1 minute 8.73 seconds
2nd Golden Mile
3rd Nicolini Vito
2022
Expressway Stakes
1st Overpass 1 minute 8.96 seconds
2nd Forbidden Love
3rd Anamoe
2021
Expressway Stakes
1st Savatiano 1 minute 11.22 seconds
2nd Kolding
3rd Emeralds
2020
Expressway Stakes
(Run at Randwick)
1st Standout 1 minute 9.56 seconds
2nd Alizee
3rd White Moss
2019
Expressway Stakes
1st Alizee 1 minute 11.32 seconds
2nd Le Romain
3rd Dothraki
2018
Expressway Stakes
1st Trapeze Artist 1 minute 10.41 seconds
2nd Showtime
3rd Addictive Nature
2017
Expressway Stakes
1st Music Magnate 1 minute 9.48 seconds
2nd Kuro
3rd Ball Of Muscle
2016
Expressway Stakes
1st Our Boy Malachi 1 minute 11.65 seconds
2nd Solicit
3rd Big Money
2015
Expressway Stakes
1st Weary 1 minute 10.66 seconds
2nd Driefontein
3rd Territory
2014
Expressway Stakes
1st Appearance 1 minute 9.06 seconds
2nd River Lad
3rd Sizzling
2013
Expressway Stakes
1st Happy Galaxy 1 minute 9.82 seconds
2nd Skytrain
3rd Centennial Park
2012
Expressway Stakes
1st Rain Affair 1 minute 10.7 seconds
2nd Centennial Park
3rd Shoot Out
2011
Expressway Stakes
1st Centennial Park 1 minute 10.2 seconds
2nd Love Conquers All
3rd Hot Danish
2010
Expressway Stakes
1st Rangirangdoo 1 minute 12.66 seconds
2nd Dao Dao
3rd McClintock
2009
Expressway Stakes
1st Burdekin Blues 1 minute 9.76 seconds
2nd Gold Trail
3rd Hurried Choice
2008
Expressway Stakes
1st Paratroopers 1 minute 9.6 seconds
2nd He’s Canny
3rd Sniper’s Bullet
2007
Expressway Stakes
1st Mentality 1 minute 9.96 seconds
2nd Fashions Afield
3rd More Than Lucky
2006
Expressway Stakes
1st Court’s In Session 1 minute 9.15 seconds
2nd Shania Dane
3rd Primus
2005
Expressway Stakes
1st Court’s In Session 1 minute 9.51 seconds
2nd Our Egyptian Raine
3rd Grand Armee
2004
Expressway Stakes
1st Sportsman 1 minute 8.37 seconds
2nd Thorn Park
3rd Excellerator
2003
Expressway Stakes
1st Lonhro 1 minute 10.66 seconds
2nd Belle Du Jour
3rd Carael Boy
2002
Expressway Stakes
1st Ateates 1 minute 11.23 seconds
2nd Viscount
3rd Caissa
2001
Expressway Stakes
1st Tie The Knot 1 minute 9.98 seconds
2nd Referral
3rd Landsighting
2000
Expressway Stakes
1st Mr. Innocent 1 minute 9.25 seconds
2nd Adam
3rd Commands

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