A rundown of the Group One Emirates Stakes

EMIRATES STAKES – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

* Group One, 2000m, $2 million, weight-for-age. Run at Flemington on Saturday, November 11, 4.55pm

HISTORY

* Formerly the Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) held on Victoria Derby Day and used as a Melbourne Cup lead-in

* But the VRC decided its importance as a Cup pathway had diminished and announced in 2016 they would be switching it with the Group One 1600-metre Emirates Stakes, which was run on the final day of the Cup carnival

* That race is now called the Kennedy Mile (1600m) on day one and the Emirates Stakes (2000m) is on the last

NOTABLE WINNERS

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* Carbine (1890), Wakeful (1901-02-03), Gloaming (1924), Phar Lap (1930-31-32), Peter Pan (1934), Ajax (1938), Tranquil Star (1942, 1944-45), Flight (1946), Comic Court (1949-50), Rising Fast (1954-55), Tulloch (1960), Tobin Bronze (1966), Dulcify (1979), At Talaq (1986), Better Loosen Up (1990), Let’s Elope (1991), Lonhro (2002) So You Think (2010) and Happy Trails (2014)

TALKING POINTS

* Awesome Rock ran fifth in the Cox Plate before winning the 2016 Emirates Stakes. Three of this year’s field used the Cox Plate as their lead-in: Folkswood (3rd), Gailo Chop (5th) and Happy Clapper (6th)

* Of the four that used the Kennedy Mile, Chris-Waller trained Tom Melbourne ($11) finished best as runner-up

* British gelding Folkswood ($5 favourite) and Irish runner The Taj Mahal ($31) are the only two internationals

WHAT SOME OF THE KEY PLAYERS ARE SAYING

* “Folkswood came out of the Cox Plate in good form and has prepped well going into this race. A repeat performance of that run will put him bang on here” – trainer Charlie Appleby on his Group One placegetter

* “If I hadn’t won those Group Ones I would have probably been no chance. I’ve seen pretty much all of his races and I know he’s a good horse and a decent ride in the race” – jockey Michael Dee on his for the ride on Gingernuts