Spring Classic

The Livamol Spring Classic Formerly the Kelt Capital Stakes is a Weight-for-age Thoroughbred horse race run at Hastings Racecourse in Hawke's Bay and was at one stage New Zealand's richest horse race. It is run at a distance of 2040m and carries prize money of NZ$250,000.

For the cycle races known as "Spring Classics", see Classic cycle races.
Spring Classic
Group I race
LocationHastings Racecourse
Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Inaugurated1955
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
WebsiteHawke's Bay Racing
Race information
Distance2040m (10 furlongs)
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds and up
WeightWeight for Age
PurseNZ$250,000 (2020)

History

The race was originally known as the Ormond Memorial and took place on the second day of the autumn carnival until the 1985/86 season when it was moved to the Spring.

From 1991 to 2009 the race was sponsored by Kelt Capital Limited, and in particular the owner thereof Sam Kelt, a strong supporter of New Zealand and particularly Hawke's Bay racing.

In 1993 the race was upgraded to Group 2 status, 1996 would see it upgraded to Group 1 status and the distance changed from 2000m to 2040m.

The growth in prize money was substantial in the decade up to 2008. In 2000 it was worth $250,000; in 2002 it was the equal richest race in New Zealand at $500,000 and in 2004 it was New Zealand's first million-dollar race. The race was worth $2,000,000 in 2007 and 2008, but the stake had to be reduced to $1,200,000 in 2009 as that level was deemed unsustainable.

In 2010, after the cessation of the Kelt sponsorship, the Ormond Memorial name was modified in recognition of Lady Katherine (Kit) Acklin née Ormond who had recently died.

Since 2010 The stakes have remained at $250,000, below several major races in New Zealand but still slightly ahead in terms of weight-for-age races.

Spring Carnival

The race is run on the first Saturday in October, along with two other Group features, the Hawke's Bay Guineas for three-year-olds and a 1400 m handicap formerly known as the G.R. Kelt Memorial. The weather in the Hawke's Bay's means the track conditions are usually excellent.

The race is now regarded as New Zealand's premier weight-for-age race and has attracted interest from overseas, most notably with subsequent world champion miler Starcraft who ran second in 2004.

The race is the part of the Triple Crown raced at Hastings Racecourse, along with:

- (1) the 1400m Challenge Stakes which was previously known as the Makfi Challenge Stakes or Mudgway Stakes and is currently called the Tarzino Trophy - raced on the first Saturday in September, and

- (2) the 1600m Horlicks Plate which was previously known as the Stony Bridge Stakes and is currently called the Windsor Park Plate - raced in late September.

Many of New Zealand's best thoroughbred horses have raced in the various Triple Crown events. A number of horses managed to win two of the three races and some were beaten into second in the third leg. On 5 October 2019 Melody Belle was the first horse to win all three of the Hawkes Bay Triple Crown races.

Winners of the Spring Classic
Year
 Winner
 Jockey
 Trainer
 Time
2020Melody Belle 57Troy HarrisJamie Richards, Matamata2:10.12
2019 Melody Belle 57[1] Opie Bosson Jamie Richards, Matamata 2:05.45
2018[2] Savvy Coup 55 Chris Johnson M & M Pitman, Riccarton 2:04.08
2017 Wait a Sec 59 Jonathan Parkes Guy Lowry & Grant Cullen, Hastings 2:05.59 (dead)
2016 Willie Cazals (IRE) 59 Craig Grylls Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott, Matamata 2:09.75
2015 Addictive Habit 59 Sam Spratt Lee Somervell, Cambridge 2:05.77
2014 Costume 57 Michael Coleman Graeme & Debbie Rogerson, Tuhikaramea 2:02.66
2013 Ransomed 59 Jonathan Parkes Gary Vile, Awapuni 2:04.21
2012 Shez Sinsational 57 Opie Bosson Allan Sharrock, New Plymouth 2:04.89
2011 Jimmy Choux 57.5 Jonathan Riddell John Bary, Hastings 2:06.24
2010 Wall Street 59 Michael Coleman Jeff Lynds, Awapuni 2:02.97
2009 Vosne Romanee 59 Buddy Lammas Jeff Lynds, Awapuni 2:08.42
2008 Princess Coup 56.5 Opie Bosson Mark Walker, Matamata 2:04.58
2007 Princess Coup 55 Noel Harris Mark Walker, Matamata 2:04.16
2006 Legs 55 Lisa Cropp Kevin Gray, Awapuni 2:03.82
2005 Xcellent 57 Michael Coleman Mike & Paul Moroney, Matamata 2:03.21
2004 Balmuse 59 Jamie Bullard Kevin Myers, Wanganui 2:05.03
2003 Distinctly Secret 59 Opie Bosson Mark Walker, Matamata 2:03.64
2002 Prized Gem 56 Michael Rodd Murray Baker, Cambridge 2:04.10
2001 Cinder Bella 56 Lance O'Sullivan Karen Zimmerman, Otaki 2:03.31
2000 The Message 59 Linda Ballantyne John Ralph, Te Rapa 2:03.91
1999 Cent Home 57 David Walker Jim Wallace, Opaki 2:02.16
1998 Just Call Me Sir 47.5 Trudy Collett Moira Murdoch, Pukekohe 2:04.06
1997 Moss Downs 59 Michael Coleman Chris McNab, Hastings 2:03.63
1996 Love Dance 56.5 Gary Grylls Bev & Ken Kelso, Matamata 2:03.41
1995 Italian Saint 59 Tony Allan Noel Eales, Awapuni 2:03.41
1994 Solvit 59 David Walsh Moira Murdoch, Pukekohe 2:00.16
1993 Calm Harbour 59 Lance O'Sullivan Noel Eales, Awapuni 1:59.70
1992 Veandercross 57 Jim Walker Chris Turner, Wanganui 2:09.81
1991 Castletown 59 Noel Harris Paddy Busuttin, Foxton 2:04.71
1990 Timandra Steed 59 David Johnson James Clement 2:00.03
1989 Lomondy 59 David Walsh Noel Eales, Awapuni 2:12.01
1988 Classic Bay 59 Ross Elliot Merv Andrews, Awapuni 2:10.23
1987 Secret Seal 59 Noel Harris Jeff Lynds, Awapuni 2:04.15
1986 Lomondy 59 Jim Walker Noel Eales, Awapuni 2:06.42
1985 (Spring) Always Summer 56.5 David Walsh Don Grubb, Fielding 2:04.20
1985 (Autumn) Deb’s Mate 59 Debbie Healey H S Wadham, Pukekohe 2:12.70
1984 Commissionaire 58 Jim Cassidy Noel Eales, Awapuni 2:02.57
1983 Commissionaire 58 Jim Cassidy Noel Eales, Awapuni 2:03.43
1982 Ruanuku 58 Stephen Autridge Miss L I Pratt, Cambridge 2:15.95
1981 Serendiper 58 David Walsh Mrs W L Sullivan, Te Rapa 2:05.3
1980 Harmanaire 53.5 R Jenkins T Nightingale, Hastings 2:04.04
1979 La Mer 57 D Harris M Smith, New Plymouth 2:03
1978 La Mer 56 D Harris M Smith, New Plymouth 2:08.4
1977 Balmerino 57 M Campbell B J Smith, Cambridge 2:08.2
1976 Duty Free 58 R Jenkins Mrs A Fogden, Manakau 2:12
1975 Curly Wave 58 B S Compton G O Mudgway, Te Rapa 2:04.8
1974 Guest Star 53.5 R C Franklin I J & I R Tucker, Takanini 2:19.8
1973 Duty Free 9.2 R J Fergus Mrs A Fogden, Manakau
1972 Count Kereru 9.2 G A Phillips Miss A Bowman, Fielding
1971 Game 9.2 R B Marsh K H Quinlivan, Hastings
1970 Game 9.2 R B Marsh K H Quinlivan, Hastings
1969 Game 9.2 R B Marsh K H Quinlivan, Hastings
1968 Dalvui 9.2 Bill Skelton D Jones, Hastings
1967 Terrific 9.0 G F Hughes M & F Ritchie, Ellerslie
1966 Palisade 9.2 Bob Skelton D P Wilson, Wingatui
1965 Empyreus 8.6 R W Taylor K H Quinlivan, Hastings
1964 Tatua 9.0 G R Edge W J Pratt, Te Awamutu
1963 Picaroon 9.2 B J Langford K H Quinlivan, Hastings
1962 Moy 8.12 K S Cullen K Couper, Hastings
1961 Picaroon 9.2 J Anderson K H Quinlivan, Hastings
1960 Picaroon 9.2 J Anderson K H Quinlivan, Hastings
1959 Supertax 9.0 V J Sellars T C Alcock, Pukekohe
1958 (Dead Heat) Rover 8.6 W L Aitken T B Mcneil, Hastings
1958 (Dead Heat) Savage 8.6 V J Sellars E Temperton, Awapuni
1957 Pinnacle Ridge 9.0 W Broughton V E Bryant, Foxton
1956 Syntax 8.6 N B Holland S Walker, Hamilton
1955 Redcraze 9.0 V J Sellars Syd Brown, Woodville

See also

A list of the winners of all 3 Hawkes Bay Triple Crown events is at Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand

References
  1. https://www.justhorseracing.com.au/news/australian-racing/melody-belle-completes-unique-nz-treble/552245
  2. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2018, 47th Edition, Dennis Ryan, Editor Racing Media Limited
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