The Expressway Stakes is a Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival Group 2 currently held on Apollo Stakes Day at Randwick in February as a lead-up to the Group 1 autumn races.
2024 Expressway Stakes Results
- 1st: #1 King Of Sparta
- 2nd: #2 Coal Crusher
- 3rd: #6 Malkovich
Expressway Stakes News
- Golden Mile Heads 2023 Expressway Stakes Field & Odds
- 2022 Expressway Stakes Results: Overpass Wins, Anamoe Runs Third
- 2022 Expressway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Anamoe Odds-On
- 2021 Expressway Stakes Results: Savatiano Wins Ahead of Canterbury Stakes
- Expressway Stakes Day 2021: Rosehill Scratchings & Track Report
The Expressway Stakes is a Group 2 event raced over 1200m at set weights plus penalties, open to sprinters aged three and over. Currently held at Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse in mid-February, the Expressway Stakes is one of Sydney’s first key lead-up autumn races of the New Year and suits horses that are in good form and ready for a new season of racing.
Previously, the Expressway Stakes served as a good lead-up to the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m).
In 2024 however the Expressway Stakes was moved from January at Rosehill to take place at Randwick on February’s Apollo Stakes Day card.
Horses may come into the Expressway Stakes first-up and continue onto tougher autumn feature races such as the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m).
Savatiano (2021) was the last runner to complete the Expressway Stakes – Canterbury Stakes double.
The Expressway Stakes also serves as a good lead-up into the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) held in mid-March. Mentality (2007) was the last horse to do the Expressway Stakes – Randwick Guineas double. More recently, Trapeze Artist won the 2018 Expressway Stakes before a third in the Randwick Guineas. He also went on to win the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes – All Aged Stakes double in Randwick that April as well as the following year’s Canterbury Stakes.
In 2019 class mare Alizee won the Expressway Stakes first-up before winning Caulfield’s Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) in Melbourne and running third in the inaugural All-Star Mile (1600m).
Alizee returned for the 2020 Expressway Stakes and ran second to Standout.
The 2022 Expressway Stakes form was franked with the second-placed mare Forbidden Love going on to win the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes – Group 1 George Ryder Stakes double that autumn before a fourth in the Doncaster Mile results.
The form from the 2022 Expressway was further franked with the third place-getter Anamoe winning an impressive five Group 1 races later that year including most famously the iconic Cox Plate at The Valley in October.
The Expressway Stakes winner in 2023 franked the form with Mariamia going on to win the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) later that prep.
The Expressway Stakes 2024 ran on Saturday February 17, 2024 at Randwick Gardens, moved from Rosehill in 2024, as a lead-up to the Group 1 sprints of the autumn and was won in an impressive finish by Team Snowden’s last start $1 million Magic Millions Sprint winner King Of Sparta ($4).
| 2024 Expressway Stakes | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Saturday February 17, 2024 |
| Track: | Randwick Racecourse |
| Distance: | 1200m |
| Race Type: | Set Weights + Penalties |
| Status: | Group 2 |
| Prize Money: | $300,000 |
2024 Expressway Results
- 1st: #1 King Of Sparta ($4)
- 2nd: #2 Coal Crusher
- 3rd: #6 Malkovich
King Of Sparta ($4), the barnstorming sprinter trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, continued his winning ways with a commanding victory in the 2024 Expressway Stakes results at Randwick. Fresh off his Magic Millions Sprint triumph five weeks earlier, the in-form gelding roared from behind in the final furlong, claiming his first ever Sydney Saturday win. This dominant performance solidifies his position as a major contender for the upcoming $5 million The Quokka in Western Australia this April.
Click here to read more on the impressive Expressway win by The Quokka slot holder King Of Sparta.
2024 Expressway Stakes Results & Finishing Order
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | KING OF SPARTA | Peter & Paul Snowden | James McDonald | 2 | 57.5kg | $4 | |||
| 2 | 2 | COAL CRUSHER | Joseph Pride | Tyler Schiller | 0.42L | 5 | 57.5kg | $10 | ||
| 3 | 6 | MALKOVICH | Bjorn Baker | Joshua Parr | 0.76L | 4 | 56kg | $13 | ||
| 4 | 4 | BUENOS NOCHES | Matthew Smith | Nash Rawiller | 1.42L | 6 | 56.5kg (cd 57kg) | $1.75F | ||
| 5 | 5 | STRAIT ACER | Edward Cummings | Tommy Berry | 3.82L | 3 | 56kg | $17 | ||
| 6 | 7 | WEST OF DALBY | Benjamin Smith | Brock Ryan | 4.66L | 7 | 51kg | $51 | ||
| 7 | 3 | GOLDEN MILE | James Cummings | Zac Lloyd (a) | 5.54L | 1 | 57.5kg | $11 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2024 Expressway Stakes Odds & Betting
The Expressway Stakes 2024 odds will be published below as soon as betting on the Group 2 at Randwick is released.
Savatiano ($2.10 in 2021) was the last favourite in Expressway Stakes betting to salute for the punters.
CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST 2024 EXPRESSWAY STAKES ODDS (Final Field)
2024 Expressway Stakes Form Guide
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2024 EXPRESSWAY STAKES FORM GUIDE
2024 Expressway Stakes Tips
Stay tuned for our insider Expressway Stakes 2024 Tips on the popular Group 2 Sydney sprint this February.
- To Win: #1 King Of Sparta ($2.60 at time of publish) – BET NOW
The imposing King Of Sparta emerges as a leading contender after his dominant two-length victory in the Magic Millions Sprint last month. While kept fresh since then, a winning trial at Rosehill suggests he’s primed for this Group 2 challenge. His ideal draw in barrier two, coupled with the in-form James McDonald in the saddle, adds further confidence in a small field. With two fourth-place finishes in Group 1 races, King Of Sparta boasts undeniable class. While Randwick may not be his ideal track, the winnable event presents a stepping stone for the upcoming autumn Group 1 sprints.
2024 Expressway Stakes Field
The Expressway Stakes field attracts a top class line-up of early autumn sprint types, many eyeing Group 1 autumn races later in the season.
The 2024 Expressway Stakes field is set for release on the Wednesday leading-up to the race and will be made available in full below.
The Expressway Stakes 2024 final field features a small but quality line-up of sprinters with the returning Matthew Smith-trained Buenos Noches last seen running second in Flemington’s Group 1 Champions Sprint heading the markets fresh.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14624×2821 | KING OF SPARTA | Peter & Paul Snowden | James McDonald | 2 | 57.5kg | 110 | ||
| 2 | 3410x3441x | COAL CRUSHER | Joseph Pride | Tyler Schiller | 5 | 57.5kg | 109 | ||
| 3 | 00x901393x | GOLDEN MILE | James Cummings | Zac Lloyd (a) | 1 | 57.5kg | 108 | ||
| 4 | 3x57x1382x | BUENOS NOCHES | Matthew Smith | Nash Rawiller | 6 | 56.5kg | 111 | ||
| 5 | x18111243x | STRAIT ACER | Edward Cummings | Tommy Berry | 3 | 56kg | 106 | ||
| 6 | 5x1576x363 | MALKOVICH | Bjorn Baker | Joshua Parr | 4 | 56kg | 100 | ||
| 7 | 189x05121x | WEST OF DALBY | Benjamin Smith | Brock Ryan | 7 | 51kg | 79 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2024 Expressway Stakes Nominations
The Expressway Stakes nominations are usually announced on the Monday prior to the race.
Because of it’s a major lead up race to later feature events, the Expressway Stakes nominations usually include a high number of horses who are intent on an extended Autumn Racing Carnival campaign in both Sydney and Melbourne.
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Ballot | Weight | True Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3x57x1382x | BUENOS NOCHES | H | 4 | Matthew Smith | 1 | 56.5kg | 111 | ||
| 2 | 342151120x | CEPHEUS (GB) | G | 7 | Matthew Dunn | 2= | 57.5kg | 110 | ||
| 3 | 14624×2821 | KING OF SPARTA | G | 5 | Peter & Paul Snowden | 2= | 57.5kg | 110 | ||
| 4 | 3410x3441x | COAL CRUSHER | G | 6 | Joseph Pride | 4 | 57.5kg | 109 | ||
| 5 | 00x901393x | GOLDEN MILE | H | 4 | James Cummings | 5 | 57.5kg | 108 | ||
| 6 | x18111243x | STRAIT ACER | G | 4 | Edward Cummings | 6 | 56kg | 106 | ||
| 7 | x2162x116x | VIENNA PRINCESS | M | 4 | Chris Waller | 7 | 55.5kg | 105 | ||
| 8 | 1x419x646x | ZOUGOTCHA | M | 4 | Chris Waller | 8 | 55.5kg | 104 | ||
| 9 | 407x28047x | MADAME POMMERY | M | 4 | Chris Waller | 9 | 54kg | 102 | ||
| 10 | 5x1576x363 | MALKOVICH | G | 6 | Bjorn Baker | 10 | 56kg | 100 | ||
| 11 | 189x05121x | WEST OF DALBY | F | 3 | Benjamin Smith | 11 | 51kg | 79 | ||
| 12 | 10x | MANWE | C | 3 | Anthony Cummings | 12 | 53kg | 65 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Expressway Stakes History
First held in 1974 as a principal race, the Expressway Stakes was won by I’m Scarlet and remained that status until 1979 when it became a Group 2 race.
Between 1975 and 1980, the Expressway Stakes was run over a distance of 1100m before being moved out to 1200m.
Plenty of top class gallopers have taken out the race and notable Expressway Stakes winners include Saintly (1996), Tie The Knot (2001), Lonhro (2003), Rangirangdoo (2010), and Appearance (2014).
The Expressway Stakes winners and results going back to 2000 are listed below.
Recent Expressway Stakes Winners
| Year | Place | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Expressway Stakes |
1st | King Of Sparta | 1 minute 9.17 seconds |
| 2nd | Coal Crusher | ||
| 3rd | Malkovich | ||
| 2023 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Mariamia | 1 minute 8.73 seconds |
| 2nd | Golden Mile | ||
| 3rd | Nicolini Vito | ||
| 2022 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Overpass | 1 minute 8.96 seconds |
| 2nd | Forbidden Love | ||
| 3rd | Anamoe | ||
| 2021 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Savatiano | 1 minute 11.22 seconds |
| 2nd | Kolding | ||
| 3rd | Emeralds | ||
| 2020 Expressway Stakes(Run at Randwick) |
1st | Standout | 1 minute 9.56 seconds |
| 2nd | Alizee | ||
| 3rd | White Moss | ||
| 2019 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Alizee | 1 minute 11.32 seconds |
| 2nd | Le Romain | ||
| 3rd | Dothraki | ||
| 2018 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Trapeze Artist | 1 minute 10.41 seconds |
| 2nd | Showtime | ||
| 3rd | Addictive Nature | ||
| 2017 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Music Magnate | 1 minute 9.48 seconds |
| 2nd | Kuro | ||
| 3rd | Ball Of Muscle | ||
| 2016 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Our Boy Malachi | 1 minute 11.65 seconds |
| 2nd | Solicit | ||
| 3rd | Big Money | ||
| 2015 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Weary | 1 minute 10.66 seconds |
| 2nd | Driefontein | ||
| 3rd | Territory | ||
| 2014 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Appearance | 1 minute 9.06 seconds |
| 2nd | River Lad | ||
| 3rd | Sizzling | ||
| 2013 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Happy Galaxy | 1 minute 9.82 seconds |
| 2nd | Skytrain | ||
| 3rd | Centennial Park | ||
| 2012 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Rain Affair | 1 minute 10.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Centennial Park | ||
| 3rd | Shoot Out | ||
| 2011 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Centennial Park | 1 minute 10.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Love Conquers All | ||
| 3rd | Hot Danish | ||
| 2010 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Rangirangdoo | 1 minute 12.66 seconds |
| 2nd | Dao Dao | ||
| 3rd | McClintock | ||
| 2009 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Burdekin Blues | 1 minute 9.76 seconds |
| 2nd | Gold Trail | ||
| 3rd | Hurried Choice | ||
| 2008 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Paratroopers | 1 minute 9.6 seconds |
| 2nd | He’s Canny | ||
| 3rd | Sniper’s Bullet | ||
| 2007 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Mentality | 1 minute 9.96 seconds |
| 2nd | Fashions Afield | ||
| 3rd | More Than Lucky | ||
| 2006 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Court’s In Session | 1 minute 9.15 seconds |
| 2nd | Shania Dane | ||
| 3rd | Primus | ||
| 2005 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Court’s In Session | 1 minute 9.51 seconds |
| 2nd | Our Egyptian Raine | ||
| 3rd | Grand Armee | ||
| 2004 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Sportsman | 1 minute 8.37 seconds |
| 2nd | Thorn Park | ||
| 3rd | Excellerator | ||
| 2003 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Lonhro | 1 minute 10.66 seconds |
| 2nd | Belle Du Jour | ||
| 3rd | Carael Boy | ||
| 2002 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Ateates | 1 minute 11.23 seconds |
| 2nd | Viscount | ||
| 3rd | Caissa | ||
| 2001 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Tie The Knot | 1 minute 9.98 seconds |
| 2nd | Referral | ||
| 3rd | Landsighting | ||
| 2000 Expressway Stakes |
1st | Mr. Innocent | 1 minute 9.25 seconds |
| 2nd | Adam | ||
| 3rd | Commands | ||
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