Lexus Stakes

Lexus Archer Stakes
registered as the Hotham Handicap

Class	Group 3
Location	Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia
Inaugurated	1869
Race type	Thoroughbred
Sponsor	Lexus (2025)
Race information
Distance	2,500 metres
Surface	Turf
Qualification	Three year olds and older that are not maidens
Weight	Quality handicap
Purse	$300,000 (2025)
Bonuses	Exemption from ballot for Melbourne Cup (if nominated)

The Hotham Handicap, raced as the Lexus Archer Stakes, is a Victoria Racing Club Group 3 Thoroughbred horse race for horses three years old and older, held under quality handicap conditions, over a distance of 2500 metres, held annually at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia on Makybe Diva Stakes Day. ^[1] Total prize money for the race is A$300,000.

History

Historically the race has been a traditional lead-up for the Melbourne Cup three days later, with the winner gaining exemption from any ballot for entry to the Cup. ^[1]

As a "Quality Race", the weights are assigned as in a handicap, but with a maximum weight of 60 kg and a minimum weight of 52 kg.

The race is also famous due to a triple dead-heat ^[2] in 1956 involving Fighting Force, Ark Royal and Pandie Sun.

From 2024, the VRC moved the race from Victoria Derby day to Makybe Diva Stakes day in September.

Name

• 1869–1978 - Hotham Handicap
• 1979–1993 - The Dalgety
• 1994–1995 - Crown Quality
• 1996 - Ten News Stakes
• 1997 - Lean Cuisine Quality
• 1998–2008 - Saab Quality
• 2009–2018 - Lexus Stakes
• 2019–2021 - Lexus Hotham Stakes
• 2022–present - Lexus Archer Stakes

Distance

• 1869–1971 - 11⁄2 miles (~2400 metres)
• 1972 onwards - 2500 metres

Grade

• 1869–1978 - Principal Race
• 1979–1980 - Group 3
• 1981–2003 - Group 2
• 2004 onwards - Group 3

Doubles wins

The following thoroughbreds have won the Hotham Handicap – Melbourne Cup in the same year.

Shocking (2009), Brew (2000), Think Big (1974), Baystone (1958), Foxzami (1949), Sirius (1944), Dark Felt (1943), White Nose (1931), King Ingoda (1922) and Nimblefoot (1870).

1953 and 1954 racebooks

• 
  1953 VRC Derby racebook front cover
• 
  1953 VRC Derby raceday officials
• 
  1953 VRC Hotham Handicap page showing the winner, My Hero
• 
  1953 VRC Hotham Handicap page starters and results
• 
  1954 VRC Derby racebook front cover
• 
  1954 VRC Derby raceday officials
• 
  1954 VRC Hotham Handicap page starters and results
• 
  1954 VRC Hotham Handicap page showing the winner, Plato
• 
  Back cover showing enclosure information for visitors

Winners

• 2024 - Point King
• 2023 - Kalapour
• 2022 - Surefire ^[3]
• 2021 - Great House ^[4]
• 2020 - Ashrun ^[5]
• 2019 - Downdraft ^[6]
• 2018 - Prince Of Arran ^[7]
• 2017 - Cismontane ^[8]
• 2016 - Oceanographer ^[9]
• 2015 - Excess Knowledge ^[10]
• 2014 - Signoff ^[11]
• 2013 - Ruscello ^[12]
• 2012 - Kelinni ^[13]
• 2011 - Niwot ^[14]
• 2010 - Maluckyday ^[15]
• 2009 - Shocking ^[16]
• 2008 - Moatize ^[17]
• 2007 - Sculptor ^[18]
• 2006 - Maybe Better ^[19]
• 2005 - Strasbourg ^[20]
• 2004 - Don Raphael ^[21]
• 2003 - Big Pat ^[22]
• 2002 - Requiem ^[23]
• 2001 - Maythehorsebewithu ^[24]
• 2000 - Brew ^[25]
• 1999 - The Warrior ^[26]
• 1998 - Star Binder ^[27]
• 1997 - Backslapper ^[28]
• 1996 - Few Are Chosen ^[29]
• 1995 - Coachwood ^[30]
• 1994 - Pindi ^[31]
• 1993 - Tennessee Jack ^[32]
• 1992 - Big Barron ^[33]
• 1991 - Rasheek ^[34]
• 1990 - Mount Olympus ^[35]
• 1989 - Coshking ^[36]
• 1988 - Copatonic ^[37]
• 1987 - Scarvila ^[38]
• 1986 - Sea Legend ^[39]
• 1985 - Silver Award ^[40]
• 1984 - Chagemar ^[41]
• 1983 - Chagemar ^[42]
• 1982 - Allez Bijou
• 1981 - Mr. Cromwell
• 1980 - Bohemian Grove
• 1979 - Karu
• 1978 - Jury
• 1977 - Major Till
• 1976 - Reckless
• 1975 - Suleiman
• 1974 - Think Big
• 1973 - Daneson
• 1972 - Scotch And Dry ^[43]
• 1971 - Not Again
• 1970 - Sudani
• 1969 - Tails
• 1968 - Raad
• 1967 - Midlander
• 1966 - Aveniam
• 1965 - Sail Away
• 1964 - Celero
• 1963 - River Seine
• 1962 - Le Storm
• 1961 - Oreka
• 1960 - Nilarco
• 1959 - Grand Garry
• 1958 - Baystone
• 1957 - Baron Boissier
• 1956 - † Fighting Force / Ark Royal / Pandie Sun
• 1955 - Better Boy
• 1954 - Plato
• 1953 - My Hero
• 1952 - Morse Code
• 1951 - Glenvue
• 1950 - Thracian Lad
• 1949 - Foxzami
• 1948 - Howe
• 1947 - Dark Marne
• 1946 - Chaytor
• 1945 - Arduli
• 1944 - Sirius
• 1943 - Dark Felt
• 1942 - Dark Felt
• 1941 - Son Of Aurous
• 1940 - Dashing Cavalier
• 1939 - Catalogue
• 1938 - Spear Chief ^[44]
• 1937 - Frill Prince
• 1936 - Balkan Prince
• 1935 - Sarcherie
• 1934 - Panto
• 1933 - Pretzel
• 1932 - Roc
• 1931 - White Nose
• 1930 - Cimbrian
• 1929 - Shadow King
• 1928 - Epilogue
• 1927 - † Eridanus / Bicolor
• 1926 - Beedos
• 1925 - King Of Mirth
• 1924 - Lilypond
• 1923 - Englefield
• 1922 - King Ingoda
• 1921 - Wirriway
• 1920 - Luteplayer
• 1919 - Sea Bound
• 1918 - Court Jester
• 1917 - Lingle
• 1916 - Dame Quickly
• 1915 - Hush Money
• 1914 - Uncle Matt
• 1913 - Gladwyn
• 1912 - Lord Alwyne
• 1911 - Prizefighter
• 1910 - Flavian
• 1909 - Footpad
• 1908 - Moani
• 1907 - Tulkeroo
• 1906 - Invergordon
• 1905 - Demas
• 1904 - Elvo
• 1903 - Martyr
• 1902 - Sojourner
• 1901 - Ohio
• 1900 - War God
• 1899 - Miss Carbine
• 1898 - Plutus
• 1897 - Metford
• 1896 - Mischief
• 1895 - The Trier
• 1894 - Foxtail
• 1893 - Straightfire
• 1892 - Hopetoun
• 1891 - Pigeontoe
• 1890 - Grey Gown
• 1889 - Meteor
• 1888 - Mara
• 1887 - The Levite
• 1886 - Claptrap
• 1885 - Lesbia
• 1884 - Favo
• 1883 - Wallangra
• 1882 - Odd Trick
• 1881 - Saunterer
• 1880 - Wellington
• 1879 - Trump Yoss
• 1878 - Levant
• 1877 - The Vagabond
• 1876 - Troy
• 1875 - Kinchrachrie
• 1874 - Newbold
• 1873 - Imperial
• 1872 - Early Morn
• 1871 - Saladin
• 1870 - Nimblefoot
• 1869 - Aurora

† Dead heat

See also

• List of Australian Group races
• Group races

References

1. "Winners and Past Results for the Lexus Stakes". Pro Group Racing Australia. 2014. Archived from the original on 24 October 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
2. Paul Daffey (4 November 2006). "Triple dead-heat in the 1956 Hotham Handicap". The Age, (Melbourne). Archived from the original on 11 May 2017. Retrieved 12 May 2007.
3. "2022 Result – Lexus Archer Stakes (held 29 October 2022)". racingpost.com. Archived from the original on 29 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
4. "2021 Result – Lexus Archer Stakes (held 30 October 2021)". racingpost.com. Archived from the original on 29 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
5. "2020 Result – Lexus Hotham Stakes (held 31 October 2020)". racingpost.com. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
6. "2019 Result – Lexus Hotham Stakes (held 2 November 2019)". breednet.com. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
7. "2018 Result – Lexus Stakes (held 3 November 2018)". breednet.com. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
8. "2017 Result – Lexus Stakes (held 4 November 2017)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
9. "2016 Result – Lexus Stakes (held 29 October 2016)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 30 October 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
10. "2015 Result – Lexus Stakes (held 31 October 2015)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
11. "2014 Result – Lexus Stakes (held 1 November 2014)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
12. "2013 Result – Lexus Stakes (held 2 November 2013)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
13. "2012 Result – Lexus Stakes (held 3 November 2012)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
14. "2011 Result – The Lexus Stakes (held 29 October 2011)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
15. "2010 Result – The Lexus Stakes (held 30 October 2010)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
16. "2009 Result – The Lexus Stakes (held 31 October 2009)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
17. "2008 Result – Saab Qlty (held 1 November 2008)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
18. "2007 Result – Saab Qlty (held 3 November 2007)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
19. "2006 Result – Saab Qlty (held 4 November 2006)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
20. "2005 Result – Saab Qlty (held 29 October 2005)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
21. "2004 Result – Saab Qlty (held 30 October 2004)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
22. "2003 Result – Saab Qlty (held 1 November 2003)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
23. "2002 Result – Saab Qlty (held 2 November 2002)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
24. "2001 Result – Saab 9-5 Qlty (held 3 November 2001)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
25. "2000 Result – Saab Qlty (held 4 November 2000)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
26. "1999 Result – Saab Qlty (held 30 October 1999)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
27. "1998 Result – Saab Qlty (held 31 October 1998)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
28. "1997 Result – Lean Cuisine Qlty (held 1 November 1997)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
29. "1996 Result – T E N - News Stks (held 2 November 1996)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
30. "1995 Result – Crown Qlty (held 4 November 1995)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
31. "1994 Result – The Crown Quality (held 29 October 1994)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
32. "1993 Result – The Dalgety (held 30 October 1993)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
33. "1992 Result – The Dalgety (held 31 October 1992)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
34. "1991 Result – The Dalgety (held 2 November 1991)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
35. "1990 Result – Dalgety, The (held 3 November 1990)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
36. "1989 Result – The Dalgety (held 4 November 1989)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
37. "1988 Result – The Dalgety (held 29 October 1988)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
38. "1987 Result – The Dalgety (held 31 October 1987)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
39. "1986 Result – The Dalgety (held 1 November 1986)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
40. "1985 Result – The Dalgety (held 2 November 1985)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
41. "1984 Result – The Dalgety (held 3 November 1984)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
42. "1983 Result – The Dalgety (held 29 October 1983)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
43. "Flemington Results – Hotham Hcp (held 4 November 1972)". News (Google). The Sydney Morning Herald. 5 November 1972. p. 78 col 3–6. Archived from the original on 9 May 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
44. "Details And Running Of Races - Hotham Handicap (held 29 October 1938)". The Barrier Miner . Trove. 29 October 1938. p. 1 col. 1–4. Retrieved 26 October 2015.