The HDF McNeil Stakes is a Group 3 event for three year old horses. This race takes place on September 1, 2012, and is run at Caulfield Racecourse on the first official Spring day of the 2012 Spring racing carnival. Held under set weight plus penalty conditions, this 1200 metre race is an important stepping stone towards bigger events later in the season.
The McNeil Stakes has a prize pool of $125,000, and has a history of attracting high quality horses that go on to be competitive in later Spring events. In fact, a number of outstanding horses have won this race in recent history, including Starspangledbanner in 2009, Scenic Blast in 2007, Miss Finland in 2006, Bel Esprit in 2002, Theatre in 1998, Gold Ace in 1995, Danzero in 1994, and Sequalo in 1993.
Some of the major races that horses may choose to tackle after the McNeil Stakes Field include the Group 1 Thousand Guineas Prelude, the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes, and the Group 1 Crown Oaks for fillies. Yosei (4th in 2010) and Shamrocker (7th in 2010) are examples of horses that have gone on to Group 1 success, with Yosei winning the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield later in Spring, and Shamrocker winning the Australian Guineas at Flemington and the AJC Oaks at Randwick the following Autumn.
The 2011 race was won by Golden Archer, after finishing runner-up in the listed Vain Stakes at Caulfield on the way to this event. Cross of Gold took out second place, followed by Vatican in third place.
2011 HDF McNeil Stakes Results
1. Golden Archer
2. Cross Of Gold
3. Vatican
4. Delago’s Lad
5. Do You Think
6. Metonymy
7. Glissade
8. Satin Shoes
9. Redangelo
10. Arctic Command
Past Winners
| Year | Winner | Race Name That Year | Status | Distance |
| 2011 | Golden Archer | MRC HDF McNeil Stakes | Group 3 | 1200m |
| 2010 | Sistine Angel | MRC HDF McNeil Stakes | Group 3 | 1200m |
| 2009 | Starspangledbanner | MRC HDF McNeil Stakes | Group 3 | 1200m |
| 2008 | Sugar Babe | MRC HDF McNeil Stakes | Group 3 | 1200m |
| 2007 | Scenic Blast | MRC HDF McNeil Stakes | Group 3 | 1200m |
| 2006 | Miss Finland | MRC HDF McNeil Stakes | Group 3 | 1200m |
| 2005 | Danerich | MRC HDF McNeil Stakes | Group 3 | 1100m |
| 2004 | Tahni Girl | MRC HDF McNeil Stakes | Group 3 | 1100m |
| 2003 | Cahuita | MRC HDF McNeil Stakes | Group 3 | 1100m |
| 2002 | Bel Esprit | MRC HDF McNeil Stakes | Group 3 | 1100m |
| 2001 | Tully Dane | VATC HDF McNeil Stakes | Group 3 | 1100m |
| 2000 | Rapid Man | VATC HDF McNeil Stakes | Group 3 | 1100m |
| 1999 | Honour The Name | VATC HDF McNeil Stakes | Group 3 | 1100m |
| 1998 | Theatre | VATC HDF McNeil Stakes | Listed | 1100m |
| 1997 | La Baraka | VATC HDF McNeil Stakes | Listed | 1100m |
| 1996 | Valourina | VATC HDF McNeil Stakes | Listed | 1100m |
| 1995 | Gold Ace | VATC HDF McNeil Stakes | Listed | 1100m |
| 1994 | Danzero | VATC HDF McNeil Quality | Listed | 1100m |
| 1993 | Sequalo | VATC HDF McNeil Stakes | Listed | 1100m |
| 1992 | Snippet’s Girl | VATC MCNeil Quality | Listed | 1100m |
| 1991 | Tierce | VATC MCNeil Quality | Listed | 1100m |