Some facts about the Group One $500,000 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
* First run in 1898 when won by Resolute.
* Group One since 1980.
* Weight-for-age since 1979.
* Run over 1400m until 1979 when run over 1800m.
* Run over 1400m from 1980-2005.
* Switched to 1600m in 2006 to become part of the Asian Mile Series.
* Back to 1400m in 2011.
* Run at Flemington in 1996.
* Notable past winners include: Amounis (1930), Phar Lap (1931), Ajax (1938-39-40), Bernborough (1946), San Domenico (1952), Lord (1959), Todman (1960), Sky High (1961), Aquanita (1962), Wenona Girl (1963), Gunsynd (1972), Manikato (1979-80-81 and 1983), Campaign King (1986), Rubiton (1987), Vo Rogue (1988), Schillaci (1993 and 1995), Dash For Cash (2002), Fields Of Omagh (2006), Niconero (2008-09), Typhoon Tracy (2010), More Joyous (2011).
* Fields Of Omagh became the oldest winner when he scored as an eight-year-old in 2006.
* Winning jockeys with rides this year: Nash Rawiller – King Mufhasa (More Joyous 2011); Damien Oliver – Wall Street (Mr. Murphy dead-heat 2001, Testa Rossa 2000, Mannerism 1992); Luke Nolen – Doubtful Jack (Typhoon Tracy 2010); Danny Nikolic – Bigelow (Reset 2004); Craig Williams – Pinker Pinker (Niconero 2008-09).
* Winning trainers with runners on Saturday: Peter Moody – Doubtful Jack (Typhoon Tracy 2010).
* Only three horses have won the Futurity-Australian Cup double in the same season – Niconero (2009), Crewman (1970), Bobadil (1899).
* Only five mares have won the race in the last 50 years – Wenona Girl (1963), Mannerism (1992), Aqua D’Amore (2007), Typhoon Tracy (2010), More Joyous (2011). Pinker Pinker is the only mare in this year’s Futurity.
AAP TURF
