Black Opal Stakes Day 2025 Preview

What is Black Opal Stakes Day?

The Black Opal Stakes is a Group 3 race held every year at Thoroughbred Park in Canberra and is the most celebrated day of horse racing in the ACT each year. The race will be held on March 9th, 2025, and run over 1200 metres. With a prize pool of $200,000, the Black Opal Stakes is open to 2-year-old horses and runs under set weights and penalty conditions.

$1 Million Race Day

This race is one of the main races for young horses in Australia and often serves as an important stepping stone for future champions. Over the last couple of years, the day has been reimagined to become Canberra’s $AU 1million race day with a 10-race card including the Canberra Cup which is run over 2000 metres.

Previous Stakes Winners

Last year’s winner of the Black Opal Stakes was Holmes A Court won with Tommy Berry in the saddle for trainers Peter & Paul Snowden, starting from barrier 5. In 2023, Autumn Ballet claimed victory with Tim Clark riding for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, starting from barrier 4.

The 2022 winner, Queen of The Ball, triumphed under Rachel King for trainers R & M Freedman, starting from barrier 12. In 2021, Kalashnikov won with James McDonald aboard for Peter & Paul Snowden, starting from barrier 2. In 2020, Barbaric took the prize with Kerrin McEvoy riding for Peter & Paul Snowden, starting from barrier 3.

Canberra Cup Winners

In 2024 Almania won the Cup with Dylan Gibbons aboard for trainer Kris Lees, starting from barrier 7. In 2023, Arapaho claimed victory with Rachel King riding for Bjorn Baker, starting from barrier 3.

The 2022 winner, Sacramento was trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and ridden by Tim Clark, starting from barrier 11. In 2021, Mr Marathon Man won under Robbie Dolan for trainer Richard Litt, from barrier 6. In 2020, Mugatoo triumphed with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle for Kris Lees.

Tips for Black Opal Stakes Day 2025

With Farcited having won the Black Opal Stakes Prelude for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and Scarli Japali landing the Canberra Cup Prelude for trainer Anthony Warren there are some early form lines to consider.

The Pickabookie.com.au futures selections for the Black Opal Stakes and Canberra Cup will be narrowed down nearer the date but if recent trends are anything to go by you will want a low draw in the Black Opal Stakes and keep an eye out on any Peter and Paul Snowden runners which are in the field.

When it comes to the Canberra Cup, Kris Lees and Gai Waterhouse entries will likely run well so be sure to check back closer to race day once nominations are confirmed.

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