Cadbury Australian Guineas
Inaugurated in 1986, the Cadbury Guineas was programmed for the VRC's mid-February Meeting, as a race for three-years-old over 1,600 Metres, at Set Weights, with a 2½ kg allowance for Fillies. It was initially known as the Australian Guineas, and from its inception, the race has seen winners of the highest quality, year by year.
The Cadbury Guineas became the third leg of the inaugural 1998 Australian Triple Crown for Three Years Old, and as such was run at 2,000 metres for $AUD1,000,000 on Australian Cup Day.
The Cadbury Guineas honour roll includes class horses such as True Version (1986), King's High (1989), Triscay (1991) and Mahogany (1994). Stud sensation Zabeel won the race in 1990, while other winners such as Kenny’s Best Pal (1993), Baryshnikov (1995) and Flying Spur (1996) have all made their respective marks on the breeding industry.
As a 2,000 Metres race, the Guineas also had a top class winner in Gold Guru (1998) – he went on to win the AJC Australian Derby immediately afterwards. Pins won the last Australian Triple Crown in 2000, and he has since been successful at stud in New Zealand.
In 2001, the Cadbury Guineas reverted to its original distance and date. Since then, winners Dash for Cash (2002), Delago Brom (2003) and Reset (2004) have emerged as promising stallions of the future.
Following a re-structure of metropolitan race dates and programs in the Autumn, the 2005 Cadbury Guineas was run on Newmarket Handicap Day (over 1600 metres) as part of the VRC's "Super Saturday"; the first day of the Flemington Festival of Racing. This format will be retained in the long term.
In 2007, the Cadbury Guineas was run at Caulfield, due to the total reconstruction of the Flemington track. The race was won by the all conquering filly Miss Finland, the Oaks conqueror of the Spring, and Golden Slipper winner of the previous Autumn.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Light Fantastic | Mick Price | Craig Newitt | Marching | Playwright |
| 2007 | Miss Finland | David Hayes | Craig Williams | Casino Prince | Jokers Wild |
| 2006 | Apache Cat | Greg Eurell | Noel Callow | Darci Brahma | Thin and Crispy |
| 2005 | Al Maher | Gai Waterhouse | Noel Callow | Danehill Express | Econsul |
| 2004 | Reset | Graeme Rogerson | Danny Nikolic | Starcraft | Under The Bridge |
| 2003 | Delago Brom | Tommy Hughes | Patrick Payne | Tycoon Ruler | Thorn Park |
| 2002 | Dash For Cash | Rick Hore-Lacy | Scott Seamer | Royal Code | Ustinov |
| 2001 | Mr Murphy | Lee Freedman | Damien Oliver | Neptune's Journey | Outgate |
| *2000 | Pins | Clarry Conners | Shane Dye | Freemason | Hades |
| *1999 | Dignity Dancer | Bill Mitchell | Jim Cassidy | Mossman | Lease |
| *1998 | Gold Guru | Leon Macdonald | Greg Childs | Zonda | Il Don |
| 1997 | Mouawad | Clarry Conners | Grant Cooksley | O'Reilly | Tarnpir Lane |
| 1996 | Flying Spur | Lee Freedman | Damien Oliver | Saleous | Video Prince |
| 1995 | Baryshnikov | Kerry Jordan | Jim Cassidy | Hurricane Sky | St. Covet |
| 1994 | Mahogany | Lee Freedman | Greg Hall | Pride of Rancho | Mr. Mutual Respect |
| 1993 | Kenny's Best Pal | Rick Hore-Lacy | Greg Childs | Sarason | From The Park |
| 1992 | Jolly Old Mac | John Sadler | Darren Gauci | Naturalism | Laranto |
| 1991 | Triscay | Jack Denham | Mick Dittman | My Eagle Eye | Centro = 3 Durbridge = 3 |
| 1990 | Zabeel | Colin Hayes | Michael Clarke | Ark Regal | Academien |
| 1989 | King's High | Colin Hayes | Gary Clarke | Vitalic | Sir Midas |
| 1988 | Flotilla | Jack Denham | Greg Hall | Sky Chase | Spacecraft |
| 1987 | Military Plume | Colin Hayes | Michael Clarke | Vo Rogue | Hunza's Ace |
| 1986 | True Version | Angus Armanasco | Darren Gauci | Caledonian Boy | Black Charleston |