The Newmarket Handicap is a 1200m sprint race held at Flemington Racecourse. It is held down the famous Flemington straight, with races held over six furlongs at the venue often known as taking place down ‘The Straight Six.’
Carrying $1.25 million in prize money, the Newmarket Handicap is a Group 1 event that is open to all horses except for maidens at the time of entry. Apprentices also cannot claim in the race. It is held in March each year, on a day known as ‘Super Saturday.’ The Australian Cup is also held on the same meeting.
Dating back to 1874 when first won by Maid Of Avenel, the Newmarket Handicap has a rich history. The most successful trainer in the Newmarket Handicap is Bart Cummings who prepared eight winners – Crown (1972), Century (1973), Cap D’antibes (1975), Maybe Mahal (1978), Better Beyond (1979), Eloundra Bay (1981), Gold Trump (1990) and Shaftesbury Avenue (1991).
Immortal sprinting champion Black Caviar won the 2011 edition by three lengths over Crystal Lily at odds of $1.18. She recorded a time of 1:07.36 which is the current race record. It was the 10th-straight victory for Black Caviar in a career which would close with a perfect 25 wins and almost $8 million in prize money.
Five horses have been able to win the Newmarket Handicap twice and all of them achieved the feat by going back-to-back. Aspen was the first in 1880 and 1881 before Gothic was able to do so in 1927 and 1928. Correct would then achieve the feat in 1960 and 1961. Razor Sharp won in 1982 and 1983, with the most recent dual winner being Redkirk Warrior in 2017 and 2018.
Refurbishment work was being conducted on Flemington in 2007 which forced the race to be staged at Caulfield Racecourse. Champion sprinter Miss Andretti would defeat Gold Edition by 0.2 lengths in a thrilling finish with four horses finishing within half-a-length on the line.
Alongside the Melbourne Cup, the Newmarket Handicap allows up to 24 starters, although this doesn’t happen with Redkirk Warrior winning his two Newmarkets in field sizes of 13 and 15 respectively.
Some of the greatest thoroughbreds have claimed the Newmarket Handicap with the honour roll boasting Malua (1884), Wakeful (1901), Heroic (1926), Ajax (1938), Bernborough (1946), Royal Gem (1948), Baguette (1971), Schillaci (1992), Takeover Target (2006), Miss Andretti (2007), Weekend Hussler (2008), Scenic Blast (2009), Black Caviar (2011) and Lankan Rupee (2014).
