The William Reid Stakes is a Group 1 race held each year at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne. Generally hosted in March during the Autumn Racing Carnival, the 1200 metre William Reid Stakes has been won by some champion sprinters over the years. This event is run under weight for age conditions and currently worth $400,000 in prizemoney.

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William Reid Stakes 2014 Field

The William Reid Stakes was first run in 1925, named after prominent Victorian racehorse owner and banker William Reid. This event was a Principal Race between 1925 and 1979, graduating to a Group 2 race in 1980 and a Group 1 race in 1987. Held over 6 furlongs between 1925-1972, the William Reid Stakes became a 1200 metre race in 1973.

This event has been through some name changes over the years, known as the Australia Made Stakes between 1994-1995 and the Australia Stakes between 1996-2009 before reverting back to its original title in 2010. This event should not be confused with the current Australia Stakes, a Group 2 event also run at Moonee Valley in late January.

The William Reid Stakes formed a leg of the prestigious Global Sprint Challenge between 2005-2007 when known as the Australia Stakes, together with the Lightning Stakes and King’s Stand Stakes. The Australian leg of the Global Sprint Challenge series is now taken by The Age Classic.

This great race has been won by some big names in recent years, including Black Caviar in 2011, Apache Cat in 2008 and 2009, and Miss Andretti in 2007. If you go back a little further into the past, other great winners include Hareeba in 1995, Redelva in 1991, and Zeditave in 1989. In the distant past, notable winners include Heroic in 1927 and Comic Court in 1951.

However, the one name that will always be associated with this great race is Manikato, who won the William Reid Stakes for five years in a row between 1979 and 1983. This fantastic record, among other victories, saw the great Manikato honoured with the Group 1 Manikato Stakes in September at Moonee Valley. In 2005, the William Reid Stakes was won by Cape Of Good Hope, the first overseas runner to take victory.

1. FAWKNER – C Williams (10) 58.5kgs

He resumed off a nineteen week spell to run third (4 ½ lengths) in this race last year behind Black Caviar and Karuta Queen. He was then immediately spelled again and came back in the spring to claim the Caulfield Cup and run a great sixth in the Melbourne Cup. This year he is first up off a similar break again and Team Williams often give their horses a start or two in the autumn to keep them ticking over for the spring. It worked wonders for this horse last year. Class horse but not sure he’ll have the zip in his legs now to be able to repeat last year’s effort.

Odds: $17.00

2. SPIRIT OF BOOM – M Rodd (8)

A fantastic galloper who has ran second to the very impressive Lankan Rupee in G1 Oakleigh Plate and G1 Newmarket Handicap in his two runs since returning from a spell in February. The 6yo stallion hasn’t finished worse than fourth in his last nine starts, all of which have been at G1 and G2 level and there’s no better form reference at the moment than that of Lankan Rupee. In better form now than when he finished second to last in this race last year behind Black Caviar and has to be rated a leading chance.

Odds: $6.50

3. SHAMEXPRESS – D Oliver (7)

Danny O’Brien’s galloper has been excellent in his past three starts, all at G1 level, running second by less than a length in the VRC Sprint and The Lightning before, at his most recent outing, finishing fourth to Lankan Rupee in the Newmarket Handicap. Had to make his run closer to the inside fence which was less than ideal in the Newmarket and he is proven under WFA conditions. Ideally would like to see him on a bigger circuit than Moonee Valley but his two runs here have been good enough and include a finishing within two lengths of Buffering in the G1 Manikato Stakes last October. Going too well to be left out.

Odds: $5.50

4. FONTELINA – G Boss (6)

Anthony Cummings’ mare followed up a nose second to Rebel Dane in the G1 Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) last prep, with a second consecutive win in the G2 Yellowglen Stakes (1200m) on VRC Derby Day. She returned from her spring campaign in a hot G1 Newmarket Handicap but regardless of the opposition, was disappointing in running second to last and over twelve lengths from Lankan Rupee. She’s a better horse than that and her second up record is solid but still yet to register a place in four attempts under WFA conditions

Odds: $19.00

5. IT IS WRITTEN – M Allen (2)

The 5yo loves the 1200m here at Moonee Valley, having won five of thirteen starts (placed on a further five occasions) including last week’s Listed Abell Stakes. He sat just off the pace and finished well to claim Le Bonsir; another track specialist, right on the line. The win was reward for some consistent performance over the Christmas/New Year period. Takes on G1 grade for the first time in his career and if he was ever going to have a dip at it and be successful, it’d be over this course/trip but should still found this company too rich.

Odds: $51.00

6. UNPRETENTIOUS – B Rawiller (3)

Returned off a fourteen week spell in the G1 The Lightning but drawing the inside gate was not an advantage and the 5yo gelding by Stratum did well to run fifth, 2 ½ lengths behind Snitzerland, Shamexpress and Samaready. Three weeks later he stepped out as a $14 chance in the Newmarket Handicap, drew the outside and had a run in transit that should’ve seen him finish better than his ninth placing, 7.4 lengths behind Lankan Rupee. Drawn an inside gate here which may have position awkwardly in the run and in the need of some luck over the final furlongs. Smart galloper but at this level, can find one or two better.

Odds: $13.00

7. SAMAREADY – C Newitt (1)

Not all when to plan when making her return in the G1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) as the $3.10 favourite. She jumped a touch slow and was squeezed up just after the start, getting back further than anticipated. Her effort to run third to Snitzerland and Shamexpress was a good one and punters stuck with her when she backed up three weeks later in the G1 Newmarket Handicap, where she was the $4 favourite. She secured a lovely run behind eventual winner Lankan Rupee but had no response to his acceleration at the 300m mark and finished sixth (5.6 lengths). Won the G1 Moir Stakes here last September in devastating fashion and a return to this track, might just be the factor that sees her record her third Group One.

Odds: $3.80

8. GIG – C Symons (5)

Her opening quote of $201.00 tells the story. The daughter of Commands had been racing well in restricted company and even managed to grab third in the Listed Manifold Stakes (1400m) behind Anlon back in January, her first attempt at Stakes level. She’s first up here of nine weeks and at this grade, will struggle.

Odds: $251.00

9. GREGERS – C Schofield (9)

David Hayes’s well performed filly returned from a seventeen week spell with a very good fourth (2 lengths) in the G1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) behind Lankan Rupee. A fortnight later she returned to her own age for the Mss Security Stakes (1100m) as the $2.90 favourite. She drew wide and was allocated 58kgs but after making her own run up the centre of the track, hit the line hard finishing ¾ length behind Anatina, who was afforded lovely run on the fence. Has won three of four here and her two efforts back have been rock solid. Gets her chance to run a bold race with 54kgs. Good win, but not that good that she can now be winning a WFA G1.

Odds: $5.00

10. THUMP – J Cassidy (4)

Found herself in an awkward position in the run when resuming from a spell in the G2 Light Fingers Stakes and could only manage to finish seventh (3.1 lengths) behind Sweet Idea. She then got away much better in the G2 Surround Stakes at her next and most recent start at Warwick Farm and found a prominent position on the speed. On a track she enjoys, she found plenty in the run to line and secured a neck win over Real Surreal with Lucia Valentina third. Led all the way to record a comprehensive 2 ¼ length in the G3 Champagne Stakes (1200m) here last spring, defeating Miracles Of Life and this track suits her style of racing. Fit, in-form and capable of running a cheeky race.

Odds: $6.00

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In the news:

Brett Scott won’t claim to have successfully rehabilitated Stratcombe until he sees him run at Sandown on Saturday.

The Mornington-based horseman has spent the past four months working on Stratcombe’s aerobic capacity after a lung infection stopped his career in March 2013.

Clients of Scott bought Stratcombe privately after the son of Stratum won six of his 17 starts for the Mick Price stable.

Scott instantly knew he faced a tough task to get the gelding back to the races, even though the horse had recovered from the problem.

The trainer says boosting Stratcombe’s lost lung capacity has been difficult but he finally has the six-year-old ready to resume in the Listed City of Greater Dandenong Stakes (1200m) at Sandown.

“He had scarring on his lungs when they were exerted and put under pressure,” Scott said.

“Sometimes they can’t get as much oxygen through their lungs.

“We are just trying to get his lungs to take in as much oxygen as possible.”

Scott conceded Stratcombe might never recapture his best form but he would be happy if he could return well enough to warrant a tilt at the Listed Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool in May.

Dale Smith will reunite with Stratcombe at Sandown having ridden him twice before, including to his maiden win at Wangaratta in 2011.

Bookmakers have installed Pago Rock favourite at $4.60 ahead of Ready To Rip and Office Bearer at $5.50 with Stratcombe a $21 chance to score first-up.

Scott will also run developing mare Coronation Shallan in the Group Two Sunline Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night.

Coronation Shallan ran third to Sistine Demon in Listed company at her last start but Scott said he was keen to test the four-year-old over 1600 metres ahead of a possible start in the Group One Queen Of The Turf Stakes over the same distance at Randwick on April 19.