Some facts about the Group One Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.
* First run in 1971 when won by Gay Icarus.
* Notable gallopers to win the race include Gay Icarus, Taras Bulba (1975), Kingston Town (1979), Best Western (1981), Veloso (1982), Sir Dapper (1983), Beau Zam (1987), Stylish Century (1989), St. Jude (1990), Kinjite (1991), Danewin (1994), Nothin’ Leica Dane (1995), Tie The Knot (1997), Universal Prince (2000), Savabeel (2004), Hotel Grand (2005), Erewhon (2010).
* Before 1978 the race was run in the autumn as the Australasian Champion Stakes.
* In 1983 it was run over 2100m at Warwick Farm.
* Run over 1800m on the Kensington track in 2001.
* Not run in 2007 due to equine influenza.
* Winning trainers with runners this year: Bede Murray – Darci Be Good (Universal Prince 2000); Anthony Cummings – Strike The Stars (Hotel Grand 2005, Teranaba 2006); Peter Snowden – Ambidexter (Sousa 2008, Erewhon 2010); Guy Walter – Doctor Doom (Tie The Knot 1997).
* Winning jockeys with mounts this year: Hugh Bowman – Strike The Stars (Erewhon 2010); Corey Brown – Rekindled Alliance (Niello 2003, Sousa 2008).
AAP TURF
