The Flight Stakes is a Group 1 race held each year at Randwick racecourse in Sydney in October. It is held on Epsom Handicap Day which is a huge day of racing including four Group 1 races, the others being the Epsom Handicap, The Metropolitan and the Spring Champion Stakes. The race is held over a distance of 1600 metres and is open to 3-year-old fillies at set weights and carrying prize money of $300,000.
The Flight Stakes was first run in 1947 and was upgraded to Group 1 status in 1985. Some fantastic horses have won the race since it began including Lotteria (2004), Ha Ha (2001), Sunline (1998), and Slight Chance (1992). It was won last year by Samantha Miss.
Be sure to keep a close eye on lead up races held several weeks earlier such as the Silver Shadow Stakes, Tea Rose Stakes and Furious Stakes, as these have been very good guides in recent years. This year’s Silver Shadow Stakes was won by Deer Valley ahead of Melito and Hurtle Myrtle. The Tea Rose Stakes was won by More Joyous ahead of Melito and Deer Valley. While the Furious Stakes was won by Melito ahead of Hurtle Myrtle and Lovemelikearock.
| Year | Winner | Track | Time | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | More Joyous | Slow | 1:40.06 | G Waterhouse | N Rawiller |
| 2008 | Samantha Miss | Slow | 1:38.49 | K Lees | H Bowman |
| 2006 | Cheeky Choice | Good | 1:35.95 | G Waterhouse | H Bowman |
| 2005 | Fashion's Afield | Good | 1:37.19 | G Waterhouse | D Beasley |
| 2004 | Lotteria | Slow | 1:37.62 | G Waterhouse | J Cassidy |
| 2003 | Unearthly | Good | 1:36.57 | D Payne | C Brown |
| 2002 | Royal Purler | Good | 1:37.39 | G Hickmon | P Payne |
| 2001 | Ha Ha | Good | 1:36.19 | G Waterhouse | J Cassidy |
| 2000 | Unworldly | Good | 1:34.50 | J Hawkes | L Cassidy |
| 1999 | Danglissa | Good | 1:34.41 | G Waterhouse | C Munce |
| 1998 | Sunline | Good | 1:34.85 | T McKee | L Cassidy |
| 1997 | Only A Lady | Fast | 1:34.23 | C Conners | G Cooksley |
| 1996 | Dashing Eagle | Good | 1:35.64 | P Hayes | D Beadman |
| 1995 | Pontel Lass | Good | 1:36.55 | C Conners | G Boss |