The San Domenico Stakes is a high profile Group 3 event taking place this Saturday the 18th August 2012.  This race is for three-year old gallopers and is raced under set weights and penalties at the Rosehill racecourse.  The San Domenico Stakes is run over a distance of 1100 metres, with prize money of $125,000 on offer.

There is a lot of history associated with the San Domenico Stakes, with the inaugural race taking place in 1980.  There has been a number of high profile winners since the first outing, including Gold Edition in 2006, Mistegic in 2001, Testa Rossa in 1999, and General Nediym in 1997.  Last year’s winner was Foxwedge, with Obsequious taking the prize in 2010 and Shellscrape in 2009.

Like many races at this time of year, the San Domenico Stakes attracts horses who are returning from a winter spell, a situation while not tailor made for punters, does present opportunities.  In its 32 year history, this race has featured a number of three-year-olds who have gone on to perform well in similar races during the Sydney Spring racing carnival.

Fitness levels are always in question during this time of year, although this race can be a great gauge for things to come later in Spring.  For example, in recent times, Obsequious went on to run second in the Gr3 Roman Consul Stakes at Randwick after winning this race, while second place in 2010, Solar Charged, finishing runner-up in the Gr3 Silver Shadow Stakes and winning the Gr3 Thousand Guineas Prelude on Caulfield Guineas Day at Caulfield.