The Easter Handicap or Easter Stakes is a major horse race held at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland, New Zealand. It is raced over a distance of 1,600 metres (approximately 1 mile) by three-year-old and upwards thoroughbreds.

Easter Handicap
Group II race
Grey Way winning the 1977 Easter Handicap
LocationEllerslie Racecourse
Auckland, New Zealand
Inaugurated1874
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
Websitewww.ellerslie.co.nz
Race information
Distance1600m (1 miles)
SurfaceTurf
Trackright-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds and up
WeightHandicap
Purse$120,000 (2022)

Race history edit

Although previously a Group 1 race, from 2017 it was reclassified to Group 2 and from 2022 to Group 3 level.

In 2016, the conditions of the race changed from a handicap to set weight and penalties, but reverted back to handicap conditions in 2018.

The race has been won by many of New Zealand's greatest milers, including Kindergarten (twice), Sleepy Fox (four times) and Grey Way.

The Easter Handicap is now raced in late April on the same date as the Championship Stakes.

Winners Since 1965 edit

Year
Winner
Sire
Dam
Jockey
Trainer
Time
Second
Third
2023 (Pukekohe) [1] White Noise El Roca White Nymph Michael NcNab Andrew Forsman 1:42.54 (heavy) Habana 57 Tavattack 58
2022 (Pukekohe)[2] Carolina Reaper 53 Vespa Bonney Pepper Ashvin Goindasamy (a) Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall, Matamata 1:37.73 (Good) Brando 57.5 True Enough 59
2021[3] Demonetization 55 All Too Hard Midnight Special Samantha Collett Nigel Tiley, Pukekohe 1:38.72 (Slow) Hasabro 52 Marroni 52
2020 Race not held
2019[4] Endless Drama 59[5] Lope De Vega (Ire) Desert Drama (Ire) Leith Innes Tony Pike, Cambridge 1:33.45 Watch This Space 55 Yearn 52
2018 (Pukekohe) Megablast 57.5 Shinko King (Ire) Thirst Michael Coleman Nigel Tiley, Pukekohe 1:42.32 Brighton 52 Romancer 52.5
2017 Seventh Up 55 Shinko King (Ire) Regelle Grant Cooksley Shelley Hale 1:36.04 Hiflyer 55 Let Me Roar 53
2016 Sound Proposition 55 Savabeel Ebony Babe Michael Coleman Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott, Matamata 1:33.29 Trojan Warrior 55 Rasa Lila 54
2015 Pondarosa Miss 52 High Chaparral (Ire) Bak Da Princess Daniel Hain Peter Hollinshead 1:38.50 Vespa 52 Kawi 55.5
2014 Albany Reunion 52.5 Fastnet Rock (Aus) Secret Silence (Aus) Mark Du Plessis Nigel Tiley, Pukekohe 1:35.28 Chintz 55 Rollout The Carpet (Aus) 52
2013 Viadana 57.5 Towkay (Aus) Yeah Nah Mark Du Plessis Lance Noble, Matamata 1:34.62 Postmans Daughter 56.5 Our Famous Eve 53.5
2012 Veyron 59 Thorn Park (Aus) Over The Limit Rogan Norvall Linda Laing, Cambridge 1:35.40 Postmans Daughter 54 Fleur De Lune 54.5
2011 Veyron 57 Thorn Park (Aus) Over The Limit Rogan Norvall Linda Laing, Cambridge 1:38.79 Fears Nothing 55 Sir Slick 59
2010 Time Keeper 51 Stravinsky (USA) Organdy (USA) Mark Sweeney Graeme Nicholson & Paul Allbon, Pukekohe 1:34.20 November Rain 51 Sir Slick 59
2009 Prince Kaapstad 53 Kaapstad Brilliant Princess Samantha Spratt Richard Yuill 1:35.10 Irish Opera 52.5 My Astron 56
2008 Pasta Post 54 Postponed (USA) Blue Heaven Craig Grylls Graeme & Mark Sanders, Te Awamutu 1:33.02 Sterling Prince 53 Culminate 53
2007 Floydeboy 55 Mallifont (USA) Fleche D’or Mark Hills Bernard Dyke, Cambridge 1:37.80 Dezigna 56.5 Polish Princess (GB) 51
2006 Rags To Riches 53.5 Entrepreneur (GB) Candescent Michael Coleman Ralph Manning, Cambridge 1:35.41 Korau Road 52.5 La Sizeranne 54
2005 Calveen 54 Canny Lad (Aus) Calvinia (Aus) Cameron Lammas Lance O'Sullivan, Matamata 1:35.16 Kristov 56 British Ensign 54
2004 Pomp and Glory 54 Pompeii Court (USA) Aptitude Opie Bosson Alan & Brett Mcdonald, Cambridge 1:32.29 Rodrigo Rose 52.5 Jet Ski 54
2003 Sedecrem 54.5 Faltaat (USA) Real Trier (Aus) Grant Cooksley Colin Jillings & Richard Yuill, Takanini 1:33.95 Jet Ski 54 Millennium 53
2002 Honor Bound 55 Honor Grades (USA) Amrica Lance O'Sullivan Terry Wenn, Te Aroha 1:34.74 Jet Ski 55 St Therese (Aus) 52
2001 Magic Winner 54 Mighty Grey (Aus) Hagen's Pride Mark Sweeney Graeme & Debbie Sanders, Te Awamutu 1:37.85 O’Malley's Boy 54 Conference 57
2000 Zayyad 53.5 Mohamed Abdu (Ire) Pompeii Girl Matthew Williamson Robbie Sims, Pukekohe 1:36.37 Cinder Bella 54 Resonare 56
1999 Oregon Power 54.5 Oregon (USA) Gypsy Invader Michelle Wenn (Brooks) Jim Gibbs & Eric Betty, Matamata 1:33.18 Intergrate (AUS) 54 The Mighty Finn 56
1998 Aimee Jay 52 Famous Star (Ire) Mini Mandy Kelly Davidson Aiden Schumacher, Stratford 1:32.3 Fatal 52 Oregon Power 53
1997 Moss Downs 50.5 Toms Shu (USA) La Moss Lance O'Sullivan Chris McNab 1:32.34 Jazzac 50 Secret Hero 54
1996 Cactus Jack 49.5 Foxbay Barbara Jan Toby Brett David Cole 1:36.3 Magnet Bay 50 Roys Boy 52.5
1995 Pakaraka Star 49.5 Starjo Royal Vain Trudy Thornton Sidney Gulliver, Waverley 1:41.26 Matsqui (Aus) Roys Boy 52
1994 Ball Park 53 Ahonoora (GB) Tears For Fears (Aus) Tony Allan Michael Moroney & Graham Richardson, Matamata 1:34.16 Lord Tridan 58 Cuidado 57
1993 Moire 51 Crested Wave (USA) Little Tern (Ire) Lisa Cropp Carl Peterson, Te Awamutu 1:34.38 Kiwi Golfer 51 Mahoenui Lass 49.8
1992 Carson's Cash 51.5 Lord Ballina (Aus) Cashelmara Vincent Colgan Roger James, Cambridge 1:33.94 Balmacara 52 Mr Impose 51
1991 Rays Hope 51.3 Star Way (GB) Belltello Lisa Cropp Kerry Verner, Takanini 1:35.2 Javelin 51.8 Seamist 53.3
1990 Status 52 Truly Vain (Aus) Georgie Grant Cooksley Jack Georgetti 1:33.66 Echo Lass 50.5 Pikorrie 50
1989 Regal City 56 Licorice Stick Gay City Debbie Healey Jim Gibbs, Matamata 1:32.67 Trissaring 50.5 Squire Gray 53
1988 Sirstaci 52 Silver Dream (GB) Eustaci Tony Allan Peter Simpson, Cambridge 1:34.55 Bourbon Boy 55.5 Ticavaboy 51.5
1987 Field Dancer 50 Star Way (GB) Field Nymph Michael Coleman Jim Gibbs & Roger James, Matamata 1:38.10 Arctic Wolf 51.5 Star Pride 48
1986 Cosmetique 49 Barcas (USA) Lizabeth Gary Grylls Bill Ford & Roger Verry, Matamata 1:34.40 Waverley Star 51.5 Infinite Secret 50
1985 Eastern Joy 50 Three Legs (GB) Diatrelic Lance O'Sullivan Dave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata 1:36.54 Magnitude 52 Atraper 55.5
1984 Idaho's Gift 56.5 Rich Gift (GB) Veruschka Earl Harrison Don Couchman, Hawera 1:33.28 Macs Gamble 54 Abit Leica 52.5
1983 Clear Gold 55 Bahroona (Ca) Hebrew Gold Grant Cooksley I P Morton, Whakatane 1:33.19 Pride of Rosewood 53 Debs Mate 57.5
1982 Our Shah 56.6 Shahram (GB) Our Rene Chris McNab Dave & Paul O'Sullivan & Michael Moroney, Matamata 1:37.84 Asheen 50 Givenchy 57.5
1981 Shivaree 58 Sharivari Just a Lark Garry Phillips Dave O’Sullivan, Matamata 1:41.04 Master Grey 54 River Queen 55
1980 Silver Nymph 51.5 Silver Dream (GB) Crestello Warwick Robinson Gary Mudgway, Te Rapa 1:37.05 Heidelberg 52.5 Stormee 56.5
1979 Stipulwin 52.5 Stipulate Winnie’s Last Paul Hillis C Tatton, Cambridge 1:40.57 Aghios Nikalaos 51 Heidelberg 52
1978 Silver Wraith 51.25 Silver Dream (GB) Crestello Peter Johnson Laurie Laxon, Te Rapa 1:34 Orchida 54.5 Shivaree 49.5
1977 Grey Way 60.5 Grey William (GB) Waybrook Bob Skelton Pat Corboy, Washdyke 1:34.74 Vice Regal 52 = Tudor light and Kiwi Can
1976 Tudor Light 56 All A’Light Elabama Warwick Robinson John Malcolm, Te Rapa 1:35.7 Shaitan 48 Melody Belle 55
1975 Kiwi Can 57.5 Hasty Cloud (Ire) Naughty Ngarie Roger Lang Fred Beguely, Matamata 1:33.2 Bay Sovereign 49 Bay Boss 49.5
1974 Turfcutter 50.5 Oncidium (GB) Entrancing Belle Peter Johnson Ray Verner, Takanini 1:34.8 Pheroz Jewel 51.5 Curly Wave 51.5
1973 Nordic Star 7.12 Copenhagen II (GB) Glamour Fair Gary Willetts Gestro & McEwan, Hawera 1:43
1972 Kia Marea 8.1 Stunning (GB) Kia U John Grylls Tom Mathieson, Hawera 1:37
1971 Evenstead 7.10 Even Stevens Lady Janice Noel Riordan Fred Phillips, Matangi 1:35.8
1970 Patrida 7.9 Pharamond (Fra) Forever David Raklander Stuart McColl, Woodville 1:36
1969 Choucuana Minuit (GB) Cousette Rodney Heaslip Bill Sanders, Te Awamutu
1968 Tara's Pride Pride of Kildare (Ire) Fox Amber Bill Skelton Jim Didham, Stratford
1967 Valiant Rebel Resurgent (Ire) Valiant Rose David Peake Pat McIllroy, Takanini
1966 Rochdale Alpheus (GB) Fairy Treasure J Humphries Bill Sanders, Te Awamutu
1965 My Call Summertime (GB) Often David Raklander Bill Sanders, Te Awamutu

Previous winners edit

  • 1964 - Tasman Sea
  • 1963 - Final Command
  • 1962 - Otematata
  • 1961 - Waipari
  • 1960 - Waipari
  • 1959 - Marie Brizard
  • 1958 - Japonica
  • 1957 - Solepic
  • 1956 - Coleridge
  • 1955 - Fair Chance
  • 1954 - Tesla
  • 1953 - Misprint
  • 1952 - Peter Boy
  • 1951 - Wandering Ways
  • 1950 - Lord Revel
  • 1949 - Rosslare
  • 1948 - Iwo Jima
  • 1947 - Sleepy Fox[6]
  • 1946 - Sleepy Fox[6]
  • 1945 - Sleepy Fox[6]
  • 1944 - Sleepy Fox[6]
  • 1943 - Landveyor
  • 1942 - Kindergarten
  • 1941 - Kindergarten
  • 1940 - Black Thread
  • 1939 - Beaupartir
  • 1938 - Francis Drake
  • 1937 - Tooley Street
  • 1936 - Royal Appellant
  • 1935 - Red Manfred
  • 1934 - Jonathan
  • 1933 - Golden Wings
  • 1932 - Great Star
  • 1931 - Hunting Cry
  • 1930 - Pegaway
  • 1929 - Bright Glow
  • 1928 - In The Shade
  • 1927 - Civility
  • 1926 - Reremoana
  • 1925 - Reremoana
  • 1924 - Hipo
  • 1923 - Roseday
  • 1922 - Grotesque
  • 1921 - Silver Link
  • 1920 - Gazique
  • 1919 - Uncle Ned
  • 1918 - Parisian Diamond
  • 1917 - Menelaus
  • 1916 - Chortle
  • 1915 - Merry Roe
  • 1914 - Ventura
  • 1913 - Jack Delaval
  • 1912 - Kakama
  • 1911 - Antoinette
  • 1910 - Waiari
  • 1909 - Aborigine
  • 1908 - Gold Crest
  • 1907 - Waipuna
  • 1906 - Mobility
  • 1905 - Scotty
  • 1904 - Regulation
  • 1903 - Golden Rose
  • 1902 - Nonette
  • 1901 - Rosella
  • 1900 - Advance
  • 1899 - Rex
  • 1898 - Rex
  • 1897 - Day Star
  • 1896 - Acone
  • 1895 - Folly
  • 1894 - Lottie
  • 1893 - Impulse
  • 1892 - Cynisca
  • 1891 - Impulse
  • 1890 - Hilda
  • 1889 - Leorina
  • 1888 - Friendship
  • 1887 - Spade Guinea
  • 1886 - Clogs
  • 1885 - Turquoise
  • 1884 - Radames/The Administrator
  • 1883 - Leonora
  • 1882 - Louie
  • 1881 - King Quail
  • 1880 - Yatapa
  • 1879 - Yatapa
  • 1878 - Elsa
  • 1877 - Bide A Wee
  • 1876 - Parawhenua
  • 1875 - Yatterina
  • 1874 - Batter

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/51471/8/Race-Detail.aspx
  2. ^ https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/50526/7/Race-Detail.aspx
  3. ^ "Race 8 MANCO EASTER HANDICAP at AUCKLAND RC on 24 APR 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  4. ^ "Race 7 MANCO EASTER HANDICAP at AUCKLAND RC on 20 APR 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  5. ^ "Endless Drama (IRE) 2012 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ".
  6. ^ a b c d Cameron, Donald John (1979). Memorable Moments In New Zealand Sport. Moa Publications. pp. 37–40. ISBN 9780908570256.

External links edit