The Fred Best Classic is a Group 3 race for three-year-olds held during the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival in May.
2023 Fred Best Classic Results
- 1st: #8 Hawaii Five Oh
- 2nd: #2 Yellow Brick
- 3rd: #12 End Assembly
Fred Best Classic News
- Apache Chase Upsets Ayrton In Fred Best Classic: Firms From 100/1 In Stradbroke Betting 2021
- 2021 Kingsford-Smith Cup Day: Eagle Farm Scratchings & Track Report
- Fred Best Classic 2020 Betting Update: Hightail Scratched for Stradbroke
- 2020 Fred Best Classic Field & Odds: Dawn Passage Favourite To Rise Again
- 2019 Fred Best Classic Results: Military Zone Salutes as Favourite
The Group 3 Fred Best Classic is a 1400m event held annually in late May at Eagle Farm Racecourse. Held during the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival on Kingsford Smith Cup Day the event can serves as a potential lead-up for three-year-olds heading towards the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) run back at the track and distance a fortnight later.
Run under set weight conditions, the Fred Best Classic is open only to three-year-olds and now offers a lucrative $300,000 in total prize money following a prize money boost ahead of the 2023 edition.
In 2020 COVID-19 saw a number of major changes to the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival including the Fred Best Classic taking place over 1350m at Doomben Racecourse as the key event at the meeting offering a reduced $125,000 in prize money.
The 2020 edition of the Fred Best Classic also offered a ballot exemption to the winner for the following week’s Stradbroke Handicap field, one of just two elite level races taking place during the carnival due to Coronavirus.
The 2022 Fred Best Classic form was franked with the winner Vilana going on to take out Sydney’s $1 million Silver Eagle and $1 million The Hunter race at Newcastle that spring.
The 2023 Fred Best Classic ran on Saturday May 27th, 2023 at Eagle Farm Racecourse and was won in style by the well-bred colt Hawaii Five Oh ($4) from the Waterhouse/Bott stable.
Fred Best Classic Info: |
|
Date: |
Saturday May 27th, 2023 |
Track: |
Eagle Farm Racecourse |
Distance: |
1400m |
Race Type: |
3YOs – Set Weights |
Status: |
Group 3 |
Prizemoney: |
$300,000 |
2023 Fred Best Classic Results
- 1st: #8 Hawaii Five Oh ($4)
- 2nd: #2 Yellow Brick
- 3rd: #12 End Assembly
The nicely-bred Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Group 3 Hawkesbury Guineas winning I Am Invincible colt Hawaii Five Oh ($4) kept the wins going with a stellar victory in the 2023 Fred Best Classic results ahead of his shot at the $3 million Stradbroke Handicap on June 10.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | HAWAII FIVE OH | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Nash Rawiller | 9 | 57kg | $4 | |||
| 2 | 2 | YELLOW BRICK | Tony & Maddysen Sears | Ben Thompson | 0.75L | 7 | 57kg | $2.20F | ||
| 3 | 12 | END ASSEMBLY | Mark Currie | James Orman | 1.44L | 15 | 57kg | $61 | ||
| 4 | 3 | SWISS EXILE | Annabel Neasham | Damien Thornton | 3.51L | 1 | 57kg | $21 | ||
| 5 | 6 | SANDPAPER | James Cummings | Ben Melham | 4.05L | 10 | 57kg | $41 | ||
| 6 | 4 | ZOU TIGER | John O’Shea | James McDonald | 4.82L | 13 | 57kg | $7.50 | ||
| 7 | 7 | ATMOSPHERE | James Cummings | Blake Shinn | 4.99L | 6 | 57kg | $31 | ||
| 8 | 5 | SOOTHSAYER | Lee Freedman | Sam Clipperton | 5.19L | 12 | 57kg | $21 | ||
| 9 | 9 | LUBRICATION | Matthew Dunn | Brodie Loy | 5.95L | 8 | 57kg | $151 | ||
| 10 | 1 | FASHION LEGEND | Richard & Will Freedman | Joshua Parr | 6.35L | 11 | 57kg | $17 | ||
| 11 | 14 | SEVEN VEILS | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | Tim Clark | 6.86L | 14 | 55kg | $21 | ||
| 12 | 11 | LARRIKIN ROGUE | Chris Anderson | Jason Collett | 7L | 5 | 57kg | $31 | ||
| 13 | 18 | TERZIERE (NZ) | Robbie Patterson | Ms Samantha Collett | 8.2L | 2 | 55kg | $51 | ||
| 14 | 17 | KIKO | Jim Conlan | Tyler Schiller (a) | 9.19L | 4 | 55kg | $101 | ||
| 15 | 13 | CRADLE OF LIFE | Richard Laming | Ms Tegan Harrison | 9.27L | 3 | 57kg | $201 | ||
| 16 | 15 | MUMBAI JEWEL | Annabel Neasham | Chad Schofield | 16.07L | 16 | 55kg | $61 | ||
| 10 | SAILOR’S SECRET | Kelly Schweida | Craig Williams | 0 | ||||||
| 16 | PORTRAY | James Cummings | Sam Clipperton | 0 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2023 Fred Best Classic Betting Odds
The winter’s latest Fred Best Classic 2023 betting odds and links to the markets at Ladbrokes.com.au will be available below once released.
Dawn Passage ($2.15 in 2020) was the last favourite in Fred Best Classic betting to salute for the punters.
There was a notable upset in 2022 with the James Cummings-trained Hallowed Crown colt Vilana winning at Fred Best Classic odds of $15.
CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST 2023 FRED BEST CLASSIC ODDS (Final Field)
2023 Fred Best Classic Form
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2023 FRED BEST CLASSIC FORM GUIDE
2023 Fred Best Classic Tips
Stay tuned for our insider Fred Best Classic 2023 Tips on the popular Brisbane Group 3 showdown this winter.
- To Win: #2 Yellow Brick ($2.80 at time of publish) – BET NOW
Happy to stick with the favourite in the Fred Best with the Toowoomba-trained Yellow Brick one of the most consistent three-year-old Queenslanders getting around. The son of The Mission has won six of his eight starts to date. He is two-from-two at the Eagle Farm track and proven at the distance (2:1-1-0). Fresh last time out was impressive winning the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas by 1.3 lengths at the Sunshine Coast. Fitter for the run and will only improve off that.
2023 Fred Best Classic Field
The Fred Best Classic field attracts a strong line-up of both local Queensland-trained three-year-olds as well as interstate raiders chasing the Brisbane winter racing riches. The race was a good lead-up to the Queensland Guineas before a change in the race schedule in 2021 and may be a next-up option for gallopers coming off a run in the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) earlier in the month.
In 2021 the Queensland Guineas ran prior to the Fred Best Classic and the runner-up Apache Chase enjoyed an upset win in the latter. Beaten odds-on favourite in the 2021 Fred Best Classic, Ayrton went on to win the Group 3 Gunsynd Classic (1600m) next start.
The official Fred Best Classic 2023 final field & barriers are set for release by Racing Queensland on the Wednesday of race week and will be published in full below.
The 2023 Fred Best Classic final field features a quality line-up of middle-distance three-year-olds led in betting by ultra-consistent The Mission gelding Yellow Brick coming off a first-up win in the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12x31111x8 | FASHION LEGEND | Richard & Will Freedman | Joshua Parr | 12 | 57kg | 93 | ||
| 2 | x3111x12x1 | YELLOW BRICK | Tony & Maddysen Sears | Ben Thompson | 7 | 57kg | 100 | ||
| 3 | 2x397x4829 | SWISS EXILE | Annabel Neasham | Damien Thornton | 1 | 57kg | 87.5 | ||
| 4 | 2x183x2236 | ZOU TIGER | John O’Shea | James McDonald | 14 | 57kg | 101 | ||
| 5 | 51621110×3 | SOOTHSAYER | Lee Freedman | Boris Thornton | 13 | 57kg | 80 | ||
| 6 | x51790x012 | SANDPAPER | James Cummings | Ben Melham | 11 | 57kg | 80 | ||
| 7 | 71626×4223 | ATMOSPHERE | James Cummings | Opie Bosson | 6 | 57kg | 79 | ||
| 8 | 139×221 | HAWAII FIVE OH | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Nash Rawiller | 9 | 57kg | 86 | ||
| 9 | 50231×430 | LUBRICATION | Matthew Dunn | Brodie Loy | 8 | 57kg | 75 | ||
| 10 | 44116×7215 | SAILOR’S SECRET | Kelly Schweida | Craig Williams | 18 | 57kg | 71.5 | ||
| 11 | 1x314x81 | LARRIKIN ROGUE | Chris Anderson | Jason Collett | 5 | 57kg | 68 | ||
| 12 | 11Dx67 | END ASSEMBLY | Mark Currie | James Orman | 16 | 57kg | 68 | ||
| 13 | 139×6 | CRADLE OF LIFE | Richard Laming | Ms Tegan Harrison | 3 | 57kg | 61 | ||
| 14 | 210x760x23 | SEVEN VEILS | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | Tim Clark | 15 | 55kg | 84 | ||
| 15 | 97626×7654 | MUMBAI JEWEL | Annabel Neasham | Chad Schofield | 17 | 55kg | 78 | ||
| 16 | x4817x1020 | PORTRAY | James Cummings | Sam Clipperton | 10 | 55kg | 80 | ||
| 17 | 6x345x3220 | KIKO | Jim Conlan | Tyler Schiller (a) | 4 | 55kg | |||
| 18 | 11x | TERZIERE (NZ) | Robbie Patterson | Ms Samantha Collett | 2 | 55kg | 70 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2023 Fred Best Classic Nominations
The early Fred Best Classic 2023 nominations close on the Monday of race week and will be updated in full below.
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Ballot | Weight | True Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12x31111x8 | FASHION LEGEND | G | 3 | Richard & Will Freedman | 1 | 57kg | 93 | ||
| 2 | x3111x12x1 | YELLOW BRICK | G | 3 | Tony & Maddysen Sears | 2 | 57kg | |||
| 3 | 1254423211 | ROYAL MERCHANT | F | 3 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 3 | 55kg | 109 | ||
| 4 | 2x397x4829 | SWISS EXILE | C | 3 | Annabel Neasham | 4 | 57kg | 87.5 | ||
| 5 | 2x183x2236 | ZOU TIGER | C | 3 | John O’Shea | 5 | 57kg | |||
| 6 | 51621110×3 | SOOTHSAYER | G | 3 | Lee Freedman | 6 | 57kg | 80 | ||
| 7 | 210x760x23 | SEVEN VEILS | F | 3 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 7 | 55kg | 84 | ||
| 8 | x51790x012 | SANDPAPER | G | 3 | James Cummings | 8 | 57kg | 80 | ||
| 9 | 97626×7654 | MUMBAI JEWEL | F | 3 | Annabel Neasham | 9 | 55kg | 78 | ||
| 10 | 71626×4223 | ATMOSPHERE | G | 3 | James Cummings | 10 | 57kg | 79 | ||
| 11 | 139×221 | HAWAII FIVE OH | C | 3 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 11 | 57kg | 86 | ||
| 12 | x4817x1020 | PORTRAY | F | 3 | James Cummings | 12 | 55kg | 80 | ||
| 13 | 111×67 | END ASSEMBLY | G | 3 | Mark Currie | 13 | 57kg | 78 | ||
| 14 | 50231×430 | LUBRICATION | C | 3 | Matthew Dunn | 14 | 57kg | 75 | ||
| 15 | 44116×7215 | SAILOR’S SECRET | G | 3 | Kelly Schweida | 15 | 57kg | 71.5 | ||
| 16 | 1x314x81 | LARRIKIN ROGUE | G | 3 | Chris Anderson | 16 | 57kg | 68 | ||
| 17 | 6x345x3220 | KIKO | F | 3 | Jim Conlan | 17 | 55kg | |||
| 18 | x14614x319 | THE RACKETEER (NZ) | G | 3 | Shaune Ritchie & Colm Murray | 18 | 57kg | 73 | ||
| 19 | 139×6 | CRADLE OF LIFE | C | 3 | Richard Laming | 19 | 57kg | 61 | ||
| 20 | 11x | TERZIERE (NZ) | F | 3 | Robbie Patterson | 20 | 55kg | 70 | ||
| 21 | DO IT FOR YOU | G | 3 | Daiki Chujo | 21 | 57kg |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Fred Best Classic History
The Fred Best Classic was first run in 1984, when Bonnie Princess seized victory. Initially, the race was run for two-year-olds, and was known as the Courier Mail 2YO Classic. The Fred Best Classic has experienced many name changes over the years. Since 2000, the race has been known variously as the Powerhouse Classic, the Wyndham Estate Classic, the Richmond Grove Classic, the BTC Classic (2006-2009) and finally the Fred Best Classic from 2010 onwards.
The Fred Best Classic was previously on Doomben Cup Day before being moved later on the carnival schedule.
Named after renowned Brisbane trainer Fred Best, the Fred Best Classic always attracts a stellar field. Peter Snowden has had three winners in the race (2008, 2012 and 2019), making him the most successful trainer.
The fastest time is held by Gold Edition, who won the race in 2007 with a blistering 1:17.52. From 2017 onwards the Fred Best Classic will be run at Eagle Farm, moved from Doomben, and raced over 1400m (up from 1350m).
In 2020 the Fred Best Classic ran at Doomben over 1350m due to COVID-19.
Fred Best Classic results since 2000 are listed below.
Fred Best Classic Results
Year |
Place |
Horse |
Time |
| 2023 Fred Best Classic |
1st | Hawaii Five Oh | 1:22.82 |
| 2nd | Yellow Brick | ||
| 3rd | End Assembly | ||
| 2022 Fred Best Classic |
1st | Vilana | 1:22.43 |
| 2nd | Kiss Sum | ||
| 3rd | Battleton | ||
| 2021 Fred Best Classic |
1st | Apache Chase | 1:20.06 |
| 2nd | Ayrton | ||
| 3rd | Amish Boy | ||
| 2020 Fred Best Classic |
1st | Dawn Passage | 1:18.83 (over 1350m) |
| 2nd | Exhilarates | ||
| 3rd | Subpoenaed | ||
| 2019 Fred Best Classic |
1st | Military Zone | 1:22.06 |
| 2nd | Baccarat Baby | ||
| 3rd | Krone | ||
| 2018 Fred Best Classic |
1st | Perast | 1:19.70 |
| 2nd | Assimilate | ||
| 3rd | Mishani Bullitt | ||
| 2017 Fred Best Classic |
1st | Niccanova | 1:26.59 |
| 2nd | Sylpheed | ||
| 3rd | I Thought So | ||
| 2016 Fred Best Classic |
1st | Counterattack | 1:18.86 |
| 2nd | Takedown | ||
| 3rd | Perfect Dare | ||
| 2015 Fred Best Classic |
1st | Najoom | 1:19.00 |
| 2nd | Miss Cover Girl | ||
| 3rd | Awesome Rock | ||
| 2014 Fred Best Classic |
1st | Havana | 1:19.2 |
| 2nd | Into The Red | ||
| 3rd | Dothraki | ||
| 2013 Fred Best Classic |
1st | Platinum Kingdom | 1:19.8 |
| 2nd | Boban | ||
| 3rd | Academus | ||
| 2012 Fred Best Classic |
1st | Mental | 1:19.3 |
| 2nd | Amah Rock | ||
| 3rd | Boys On Tour | ||
| 2011 Fred Best Classic |
1st | Falino | 1:18.8 |
| 2nd | Spirit Of Boom | ||
| 3rd | Skilled | ||
| 2010 Fred Best Classic |
1st | Stryker | 1:19.1 |
| 2nd | Happy Hippy | ||
| 3rd | Graceful Anna | ||
| 2009 Fred Best Classic |
1st | Court | 1:19.4 |
| 2nd | Leapfrog | ||
| 3rd | Geeza | ||
| 2008 Fred Best Classic |
1st | El Cambio | 1:19.2 |
| 2nd | Mr Unforgettable | ||
| 3rd | Diplomatic Force | ||
| 2007 Fred Best Classic |
1st | Gold Edition | 1:8.44 |
| 2nd | Grand Reve | ||
| 3rd | J’Adane | ||
| 2006 Fred Best Classic |
1st | La Montagna | 1:18.0 |
| 2nd | Century Serb | ||
| 3rd | Pasikatera | ||
| 2005 Fred Best Classic |
1st | Gumnuts | 1:18.8 |
| 2nd | Rich Megadale | ||
| 3rd | Aqua D Amore | ||
| 2004 Fred Best Classic |
1st | Gallieni | 1:18.1 |
| 2nd | Drunken Joker | ||
| 3rd | Sky Cuddle | ||
| 2003 Fred Best Classic |
1st | Proudly Agro | 1:18.9 |
| 2nd | Brief Embrace | ||
| 3rd | Charlie Bub | ||
| 2002 Fred Best Classic |
1st | Tellson | 1:17.8 |
| 2nd | Gabfest | ||
| 3rd | Acadame | ||
| 2001 Fred Best Classic |
1st | Marlina | 1:19.2 |
| 2nd | Zariz | ||
| 3rd | Johann Lover | ||
| 2000 Fred Best Classic |
1st | Cryptavia | 1:20.7 |
| 2nd | Make Mine Magic | ||
| 3rd | The Kildare Kid | ||
