The VRC St Leger 2025 Preview
What is the VRC St Leger 2025?
The VRC St Leger is a Listed race for three-year-old thoroughbreds, competed under set weights with penalties over 2800 metres. Held at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse, the race takes place each year on ANZAC Day, mixing tradition with endurance in a true staying test for young horses.
VRC St Leger History
First run in 1857, the VRC St Leger has a rich heritage and was originally part of the Victoria Racing Club Autumn Carnival, traditionally held in March now in April. Over the decades, it has produced a few notable winners and has remained one of the longest-standing races on the Australian racing calendar.
Previous VRC St Leger Winners
In 1857, Artaxerxes became the inaugural winner of the VRC St Leger, among the greats to have claimed the St Leger are Delta, who won in 1950, and Grand Flaneur, who triumphed in 1881. Their names alongside many others remain etched in Australian racing history, reflecting the race’s importance as a proving ground for staying talent.
In more recent times Ahuriri won the VRC St Leger in 2024, following Dunwoody’s victory in 2023. Previous winners from the last few years include Alegron in 2022, Through Irish Eyes in 2021, Sacramento in 2020, and Transact in 2019.
Latest VRC St Leger Odds
Format, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, heads the market at $4.50 after some decent efforts recently including a couple of wins. Tsitsipas is close behind at $5.50 under Craig Newitt for the Busuttin and Young stable. Tel Aviv, coming off a last start win, sits at $6.50, alongside West Indies, who looks to break through after two solid placings. Litzdeel has also drawn interest at $7.50, while American Wolf is not far off at $9 looking to continue his consistent run for the same stable as Tsitsipas.
Outsiders
Among the outsiders, Prince Pinot is listed at $26 despite a recent win and consistent form, while Prochester sits at $12 and could surprise with the right run. Kicking King is at longer odds of $21 but brings some competitive experience to the field. Wimmera Star and Highly Regarded are both at $34 and $41 respectively, needing to lift on recent efforts. The Vocalist, returning second-up, is the roughest in the field at $51 but could be open to improvement.
Tips for the VRC St Leger 2025
The Pickabookie.com.au selection is American Wolf, currently priced around $9. Last time out, he showed plenty of grit when sent out as a $1.80 favourite, holding off Hard Bob over 2000 metres. Coming from a stable known for producing strong stayers and with John Allen in the saddle, he looks a solid bet in what shapes as an open and competitive race.
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