The Run to the Rose is a Group 3 race for three year olds, taking place on September 1, 2012. Being run at the beautiful Rosehill Racecourse and held over a distance of 1200 metres, this race is always a good sign that Spring is kicking into gear.
The Run to the Rose is a fairly new entrant in the racing calendar, with the first edition taking place in 2003. This race has certainly grown up quickly however, fast becoming one of the most sought after events on the way to the Golden Rose. The 2012 edition of the Run to the Rose is worth $125,000 in prize money, with the $1 million Golden Rose Stakes held at the same track in only a few weeks time.
Some trainers racing in this event will also have their eye on a number of higher group races later this year, including the 1400 metre Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield Racecourse in October, the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas, and the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes at Randwick Racecourse.
The Run to the Rose has attracted some fine horses over the years, with winners including Mentality in 2006, El Cambio in 2007, and Smart Missile in 2011. Despite a bad start, Smart Missile came down the straight like a rocket to win in 2011, followed closely by Foxwedge in second and Helmet in third.
2011 Run To The Rose Results
1. Smart Missile
2. Foxwedge
3. Helmet
4. Karuta Queen
5. Flight Of Pegasus
6. Boys On Tour
7. Diamond To Pegasus
Past Winners
| Year | Winner | Status | Distance |
| 2011 | Smart Missile | Group 3 | 1300m |
| 2010 | Squamosa | Group 3 | 1300m |
| 2009 | Denham | Group 3 | 1300m |
| 2008 | Desuetude | Group 3 | 1300m |
| 2007 | El Cambio | Group 3 | 1300m |
| 2006 | Mentality | Listed | 1300m |
| 2005 | Paratroopers | Listed | 1300m |
| 2004 | Eremein | Listed | 1300m |
| 2003 | Gilded Youth | Listed | 1300m |
