Crystal Mile

Race Preview

The Crystal Mile is a Group 2 event held annually at Moonee Valley on the same day as the Group 1 WS Cox Plate. It is raced over a distance of 1600 metres and is an open handicap attracting quality above averages horses. It carries prize money of $200,000 and is used for horses that go on to contest the Group 1 Emirates Stakes several weeks later.

It was first run in 1982 and was upgraded to Group 2 status in 1997 due to the quality of the horses that were winning. In recent years Sonic Quest, Flash Trick, Niconero, Lad Of The Manor and Weasel Will have been successful in the Crystal Mile and have gone on to bigger things. Interestingly, no 3-year-old has ever won this race, while no mare has won either.

When analysing the race, pay close attention to the Turnbull Stakes which is raced under the same conditions and distance. Former Melbourne Cup winner Efficient won this year’s Turnbull Stakes at odds of $26.00, ahead of the injured Predatory Pricer and Scenic Shot.

Previous Crystal Mile Winners