In 1979 the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (first run in February 1954 honouring the Queen’s first visit to Flemington) was switched to spring to replace the Fisher Plate. Its illustrious winners include Hyperno, Might And Power and Makybe Diva. For Champions Day 2022 the race is replaced by the Queen’s Cup, being contested under that name for the final time. This unique event originated at Flemington in 1927 as the King’s Cup. A trophy was provided by King George V and presented in person to the winning owner by his son, the Duke of York (the future George VI). By royal request the race rotated annually thereafter from state to state. The King’s Cup from 1927 to 1951, it became the Queen’s Cup in 1952 when Elizabeth II came to the throne. Next year, elsewhere, it becomes the King’s Cup again, while the Queen Elizabeth Stakes should return to VRC Champions Day.
Final Day long ago became known as Stakes Day, featuring a Group 1 mile race (1600m) which from 1961 was named for a succession of sponsors: George Adams, Ampol, Honda, Nissan, Chrysler and Emirates. Its superstar winners have included Shaftesbury Avenue, Maybe Mahal, Gunsynd, Vain, Wenona Girl and Aquanita. The L.K.S. Mackinnon Stakes moved to Stakes Day from Derby Day in 2016, bringing its own rich history.
And so it makes all the sense in the world to rebrand today as VRC Champions Day, with rich champion Group 1 races over a range of distances: champion sprint, champion mile, champion stakes, and a race that farewells the late Queen Elizabeth, loved around the world as a champion of racing.
Main image: Better Loosen Up winning the 1989 Honda Stakes, ridden by Michael Clarke, on the last day of the Melbourne Cup carnival. (The Age Research Library/Fairfax Publications)