The Spring Champion Stakes at a glance

THE SPRING CHAMPION STAKES – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Group One, 2000m, $500,000, set-weight, three-year-olds. Run at Randwick on Saturday, October 6

HISTORY

* First run in 1971 and won by Gay Icarus

* Before 1978 it was run in autumn as the Australasian Champion Stakes

* Last year’s winner was Ace High

BIGGEST NAMES TO WIN IT

* Yankee Rose (2016), It’s A Dundeel (2012), Tie The Knot (1997), Nothin’ Leica Dane (1995), Stylish Century (1989), Beau Zam (1987), Sir Dapper (1983) and Kingston Town (1979)

HISTORY SAYS

* The Gloaming Stakes at Rosehill is the traditional lead-up race and has produced the winners of three of the past five Spring Champion Stakes: It’s A Dundeel (2012), Complacent (2013), Vanburgh (2015) and Ace High (2017)

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THIS YEAR’S FIELD

* There are 12 horses in this year’s field, with three fillies Maid of Heaven, Panzerfaust and Frankely Awesome

* Jockesy riding who have won the race before include Tye Angland, James McDonald, Jay Ford (twice) and Corey Brown (twice)

* David Payne, Chris Waller and Gai Waterhouse trained horses have won the race, which the three trainers each having a horse in this Saturday

THE EARLY MONEY

* Thinkin’ Big won the Gloaming Stakes and is the favourite in the Spring Champion Stakes

KEY QUOTES

* “She is eating more now than she was a month or six weeks ago so she has a strong constitution” – Maid Of Heaven’s trainer Mark Newnham

* “He’s definitely looking for ground so we think the 2000 metres will suit him” – Visao’s co-trainer David Eustace

* “Naturally he is a very athletic horse, his father It’s A Dundeel did win this race and I think this horse is very much in the same mould. He is athletic, very tough and has a great will to win” – Dealmaker’s trainer Chris Waller