Spring Classic

Last updated
Spring Classic
Group I race
LocationHastings Racecourse
Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Inaugurated1955
Race type Thoroughbred - Flat racing
Website Hawke's Bay Racing
Race information
Distance2040m (10 furlongs)
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds and up
Weight Weight for Age
Purse NZ$250,000 (2021)

The Livamol Spring Classic originally known as the Ormond Memorial and formerly the Kelt Capital Stakes is a Weight-for-age Thoroughbred horse race run at Hastings Racecourse in Hawke's Bay and was at one stage New Zealand's richest horse race. It is run at a distance of 2040m.

Contents

The race is run on the first Saturday in October, along with two other Group features, the Hawke's Bay Guineas for three-year-olds and a 1400 m handicap formerly known as the G.R. Kelt Memorial. The weather in the Hawke's Bay's means the track conditions are usually excellent.

The race is now regarded as New Zealand's premier weight-for-age race and has attracted interest from overseas, most notably with subsequent world champion miler Starcraft who ran second in 2004.

The race is the part of the Triple Crown raced at Hastings Racecourse, along with:

- (1) the 1400m Tarzino Trophy which was previously known as the Makfi Challenge Stakes or Mudgway Stakes and is currently called the Tarzino Trophy - raced on the first Saturday in September, and

- (2) the 1600m Windsor Park Plate which was previously known as the Stony Bridge Stakes and before that the Horlicks Plate.

Many of New Zealand's best thoroughbred horses have raced in the various Triple Crown events. A number of horses managed to win two of the three races and some were beaten into second in the third leg. On 5 October 2019 Melody Belle was the first horse to win all three of the Hawkes Bay Triple Crown races.

History

The race was originally known as the Ormond Memorial and took place on the second day of the autumn carnival until the 1985/86 season when it was moved to the Spring.

From 1991 to 2009 the race was sponsored by Kelt Capital Limited, and in particular the owner thereof Sam Kelt, a strong supporter of New Zealand and particularly Hawke's Bay racing.

1996 would see it gain Group 1 status and the distance changed from 2000m to 2040m.

The growth in prize money was substantial in the decade up to 2008. In 2000 it was worth $250,000; in 2002 it was the equal richest race in New Zealand at $500,000 and in 2004 it was New Zealand's first million-dollar race. The race was worth $2,000,000 in 2007 and 2008, but the stake had to be reduced to $1,200,000 in 2009 as that level was deemed unsustainable.

In 2010, after the cessation of the Kelt sponsorship, the Ormond Memorial name was modified in recognition of Lady Katherine (Kit) Acklin née Ormond who had recently died.

Since 2010 the stake has remained at $250,000, below several major races in New Zealand but still slightly ahead in terms of weight-for-age races.

Name

Group Status

Notable Winners

Winners of the Spring Classic

Year
Winner
Jockey
Trainer
Time
Second
Third
2021 [1] Savy Yong Blonk 57Danielle Johnson Jamie Richards, Matamata2:04.50 (good)Harlech 59Pris De Fer 59
2020 [2] Melody Belle 57Troy Harris Jamie Richards, Matamata2:10.12 (heavy) Avantage 57Vadavar 59
2019 [3] Melody Belle 57 [4] Opie Bosson Jamie Richards, Matamata2:05.45 (good)Peso 59Crown Prosecutor 57.5
2018 [5] [6] Savvy Coup 55.5 Chris Johnson M & M Pitman, Riccarton2:04.08 (good)Lizzie L'Amour 57Danzdanzdance 55.5
2017 [7] Wait a Sec 59Jonathan ParkesGuy Lowry & Grant Cullen, Hastings2:05.59 (good)Gingernuts 57.5Endean Road 57
2016 [8] Willie Cazals (IRE) 59Craig Grylls Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott, Matamata2:09.75 (heavy)Humidor 57.5Hasselhoof 59
2015 [9] Addictive Habit 59Sam SprattLee Somervell, Cambridge2:05.77 (good)Benzini 59Celebrity Miss 57
2014 [10] Costume 57Michael Coleman Graeme & Debbie Rogerson, Tuhikaramea2:02.66 (good)Shuka 59Soriano 57
2013 [11] Ransomed 59Jonathan ParkesGary Vile, Awapuni2:04.21 (good)Nashville 59Survived 57.5
2012 [12] Shez Sinsational 57 Opie Bosson Allan Sharrock, New Plymouth2:04.89 (good)Guiseppina 57He's Remarkable 59
2011 [13] Jimmy Choux 57.5Jonathan RiddellJohn Bary, Hastings2:06.24 (good)Red Ruler 59Hold It Harvey 59
2010 [14] Wall Street 59Michael ColemanJeff Lynds, Awapuni2:02.97 (good)Ginga Dude 59Keep The Peace 55.5
2009 [15] Vosne Romanee 59Buddy LammasJeff Lynds, Awapuni2:08.42 (soft)Ginga Dude 59Miss Maren 57
2008 [16] Princess Coup 56.5 Opie Bosson Mark Walker, Matamata2:04.58 (good)Red Ruler 57.5Nom de Jeu 57.5
2007 [17] Princess Coup 55 Noel Harris Mark Walker, Matamata2:04.16 (good)J'Adane 55Magic Cape 57.5
2006Legs 55Lisa CroppKevin Gray, Awapuni2:03.82
2005 Xcellent 57Michael ColemanMike & Paul Moroney, Matamata2:03.21
2004Balmuse 59Jamie BullardKevin Myers, Wanganui2:05.03
2003Distinctly Secret 59 Opie Bosson Mark Walker, Matamata2:03.64
2002Prized Gem 56 Michael Rodd Murray Baker, Cambridge2:04.10
2001Cinder Bella 56 Lance O'Sullivan Karen Zimmerman, Otaki2:03.31
2000The Message 59Linda BallantyneJohn Ralph, Te Rapa2:03.91
1999Cent Home 57David WalkerJim Wallace, Opaki2:02.16
1998Just Call Me Sir 47.5Trudy CollettMoira Murdoch, Pukekohe2:04.06
1997Moss Downs 59Michael ColemanChris McNab, Hastings2:03.63
1996Love Dance 56.5Gary GryllsBev & Ken Kelso, Matamata2:03.41
1995Italian Saint 59 Tony Allan Noel Eales, Awapuni2:03.41
1994Solvit 59 David Walsh Moira Murdoch, Pukekohe2:00.16
1993Calm Harbour 59 Lance O'Sullivan Noel Eales, Awapuni1:59.70
1992 Veandercross 57Jim WalkerChris Turner, Wanganui2:09.81
1991 Castletown 59 Noel Harris Paddy Busuttin, Foxton2:04.71
1990Timandra Steed 59David JohnsonJames Clement2:00.03
1989Lomondy 59 David Walsh Noel Eales, Awapuni2:12.01
1988Classic Bay 59Ross ElliotMerv Andrews, Awapuni2:10.23
1987Secret Seal 59 Noel Harris Jeff Lynds, Awapuni2:04.15
1986Lomondy 59Jim WalkerNoel Eales, Awapuni2:06.42
1985 (Spring)Always Summer 56.5 David Walsh Don Grubb, Fielding2:04.20
1985 (Autumn)Deb’s Mate 59Debbie HealeyH S Wadham, Pukekohe2:12.70
1984Commissionaire 58 Jim Cassidy Noel Eales, Awapuni2:02.57
1983Commissionaire 58 Jim Cassidy Noel Eales, Awapuni2:03.43
1982Ruanuku 58Stephen AutridgeMiss L I Pratt, Cambridge2:15.95
1981Serendiper 58 David Walsh Mrs W L Sullivan, Te Rapa2:05.3
1980Harmanaire 53.5R JenkinsT Nightingale, Hastings2:04.04
1979 La Mer 57Des HarrisMalcolm Smith, New Plymouth2:03
1978 La Mer 56Des HarrisMalcolm Smith, New Plymouth2:08.4
1977 Balmerino 57M CampbellB J Smith, Cambridge2:08.2
1976Duty Free 58R JenkinsMrs A Fogden, Manakau2:12
1975Curly Wave 58B S ComptonG O Mudgway, Te Rapa2:04.8
1974Guest Star 53.5R C FranklinI J & I R Tucker, Takanini2:19.8
1973Duty Free 9.2R J FergusMrs A Fogden, Manakau
1972Count Kereru 9.2G A PhillipsMiss A Bowman, Fielding
1971 Game 9.2R B MarshK H Quinlivan, Hastings
1970 Game 9.2R B MarshK H Quinlivan, Hastings
1969 Game 9.2R B MarshK H Quinlivan, Hastings
1968Dalvui 9.2 Bill Skelton D Jones, Hastings
1967Terrific 9.0G F HughesM & F Ritchie, Ellerslie
1966Palisade 9.2 Bob Skelton D P Wilson, Wingatui
1965Empyreus 8.6R W TaylorK H Quinlivan, Hastings
1964Tatua 9.0G R EdgeW J Pratt, Te Awamutu
1963Picaroon 9.2B J LangfordK H Quinlivan, Hastings
1962Moy 8.12K S CullenK Couper, Hastings
1961Picaroon 9.2J AndersonK H Quinlivan, Hastings
1960Picaroon 9.2J AndersonK H Quinlivan, Hastings
1959Supertax 9.0V J SellarsT C Alcock, Pukekohe
1958 (Dead Heat)Rover 8.6W L AitkenT B Mcneil, Hastings
1958 (Dead Heat)Savage 8.6V J SellarsE Temperton, Awapuni
1957Pinnacle Ridge 9.0W BroughtonV E Bryant, Foxton
1956Syntax 8.6N B HollandS Walker, Hamilton
1955 Redcraze 9.0V J SellarsSyd Brown, Woodville

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Race 8 LIVAMOL CLASSIC at HAWke's BAY RI on 16 OCT 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  2. ↑ "Race 8 LIVAMOL CLASSIC at HAWke's BAY RI on 17 OCT 2020 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  3. ↑ "Race 8 LIVAMOL CLASSIC at HAWke's BAY RI on 5 OCT 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  4. ↑ "Melody Belle completes NZ's spring triple crown".
  5. ↑ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2018, 47th Edition, Dennis Ryan, Editor Racing Media Limited
  6. ↑ "Race 8 LIVAMOL CLASSIC at HAWke's BAY RI on 6 OCT 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  7. ↑ "Race 8 LIVAMOL CLASSIC at HAWke's BAY RI on 22 OCT 2017 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  8. ↑ "Race 8 LIVAMOL CLASSIC at HAWke's BAY RI on 1 OCT 2016 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  9. ↑ "Race 9 LIVAMOL CLASSIC at HAWke's BAY RI on 3 OCT 2015 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  10. ↑ "Race 8 LIVAMOL CLASSIC at HAWke's BAY RI on 4 OCT 2014 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  11. ↑ "Race 9 THE TURKS SPRING CLASSIC at HAWke's BAY RI on 5 OCT 2013 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  12. ↑ "Race 9 NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK INSURANCE SPRING CLASSIC at HAWke's BAY RI on 6 OCT 2012 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  13. ↑ "Race 9 NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK INSURANCE SPRING CLASSIC at HAWke's BAY RI on 1 OCT 2011 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  14. ↑ "Race 8 KIT ORMOND MEMORIAL SPRING CLASSIC at HAWke's BAY RI on 2 OCT 2010 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  15. ↑ "Race 9 KELT CAPITAL STAKES at HAWke's BAY RI on 3 OCT 2009 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  16. ↑ "Race 9 KELT CAPITAL STAKES at HAWke's BAY RI on 4 OCT 2008 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  17. ↑ "Race 9 KELT CAPITAL STAKES at HAWke's BAY RI on 6 OCT 2007 | LOVERACING.NZ".
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