Prizemoney: $304,285

Set Weights. Apprentices cannot claim.

*The winner of this race shall be exempt from ballot for the 2025 Lexus Melbourne Cup

Winners of the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) and the Listed SAJC Port Adelaide Cup (2500m) will be exempt from ballot for the Lexus Andrew Ramsden.

Race History

ANDREW RAMSDEN (1934–2013)

Andrew Ramsden served Australian racing in many roles. He was a member of the Victoria Racing Club Committee for 21 years from 1983, Vice Chairman 1988–90 and 1993–98, Honorary Treasurer 1991–98 and VRC Chairman from 1998 to 2003. He chaired the industry working group guiding the restructure of Victorian racing and privatisation of the TAB, and became a Board Member of Racing Victoria Ltd. From 2004 to 2006 he was Chairman of the Australian Racing Board. Andrew Ramsden enjoyed success as part-owner of many fine racehorses, notably Paris Lane and 1982 Melbourne Cup winner Gurner’s Lane.

Last year’s winner – The Map

Prizemoney: $177,335

Open Handicap. Apprentices cannot claim.

*First and Second from this heat will be exempt from the ballot in the $177,335 Listed Santa Ana Lane Sprint Series Final (1200m) to be held on Flemington Finals Race Day, Saturday 5 July 2025.

Race History

HILTON NICHOLAS (1925 – 2017)

Hilton Nicholas AM OBE was a VRC Committee member continuously from 1960 to 1993, succeeding his father George (1884–1960), co-founder of pharmaceutical company Nicholas Australia Ltd. In the Second World War, Hilton Nicholas trained as a pilot in the RAAF, and flew in combat in Europe. VRC Vice Chairman 1977–82, he was Chairman from 1982 to 1986, the period when the club opened full membership to women. He was TAB Chairman 1968–84. At Shirley Park Stud, Macedon he stood the imported sire Court Sentence, and he raced the champion mare Begonia Belle.

Last year’s winner – Who Dares

TAB We're On (1400m)

Prizemoney: $150,000

2YO Handicap (VOBIS Silver). Apprentices can claim.

*First and Second from this heat will be exempt from the ballot in the $176,885 Listed Taj Rossi Series Final (1600m) to be held on Flemington Finals Race Day, Saturday 5 July 2025.

Prizemoney: $150,000

3YO Handicap (VOBIS Silver). Apprentices can claim.

*First and Second from this heat will be exempt from the ballot in the $202,285 Mahogany Challenge Final (2500m) to be held on Flemington Finals Race Day, Saturday 5 July 2025.

Race History

SIR HENRY BOLTE (1908 – 1990)

Sir Henry Edward Bolte, after retiring as Premier of Victoria from 1955 to 1972, was elected to the VRC Committee in December 1972. His horse Ramlegh earlier that year had won the VRC Grand National Steeplechase at Flemington. He served on the Committee for ten years, valued for his plain speaking, his insights into government, and his love of racing. As a young man in Victoria’s Western District before entering politics, Henry Bolte had acted as Secretary of the Skipton Turf Club 1929–33, organising its occasional race meetings.

Prizemoney: $150,000

Benchmark 100 Handicap. Apprentices can claim.

*First and Second from this heat will be exempt from the ballot in the $201,885 Listed VRC-CRV Winter Championship Series Final (1600m) to be held on Flemington Finals Race Day, Saturday 5 July 2025.

Race History

L.V LACHAL (1904–1983)

Leon Victor (Snow) Lachal CBE was Secretary (Chief Executive Officer) of the Victoria Racing Club from 1960 to 1970. Born in Melbourne, joining the Royal Australian Air Force in 1926, he attained the rank of Air Commodore and served with distinction in the South Western Pacific during the Second World War. He was appointed inaugural Secretary of the newly created Sydney Turf Club in 1947 and oversaw the successful creation of the Golden Slipper Stakes. His time at the VRC covered the transformative introduction of Victoria’s Totalizator Agency Board.

Prizemoney: $150,000

3YO Handicap (VOBIS Silver). Apprentices can claim.

*First and Second from this heat will be exempt from the ballot in the $177,035 Listed A.R. Creswick Stakes (3YO Creswick Sprint Series Final) (1200m) to be held on Flemington Finals Race Day, Saturday 5 July 2025.

Race History

TREVOR CLARKE (1902 - 1983)

WJT (Trevor) Clarke served on the VRC Committee for 22 years from 1953 to 1977, was joint Vice-Chairman 1964–69, and Vice-Chairman 1969–1973. Owner of the Mount Schanck pastoral station in South Australia, he lived at Devon Park, Dunkeld and was a council member of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria. He was Chairman of the Warrnambool Racing Club 1939–53 and raced many good horses, especially jumpers, including Llandrillo, winner of the VRC Grand National Steeplechase. He was a great-grandson of Victorian landowner WJT (Big) Clarke.

Prizemoney: $150,000

3YO Handicap (VOBIS Silver). Apprentices can claim.

*First and Second from this heat will be exempt from the ballot in the $151,885 Silver Bowl Series Final (1600m) to be held on Flemington Finals Race Day, Saturday 5 July 2025.

Race History

K.A. MORRISON (1900 – 1985)

Keith Alexander Morrison was Secretary of the Victoria Racing Club from 1946 to 1960, dealing with post-war challenges and overseeing innovations such as photo finish, stewards’ films and mobile barrier stalls. Prior to appointment to the VRC, he had enjoyed a successful career in Melbourne as a barrister and served in the armed forces during the Second World War. An accomplished rider, he competed at amateur race meetings in Gippsland and, on occasions, rode trackwork for Flemington trainers.

Prizemoney: $130,000

Benchmark 84 Handicap. Apprentices can claim.

Race History

MURRAY COX (1921 – 2001)

William Murray Cox was VRC Secretary from 1970 until his retirement in 1986. He was only the sixth VRC Secretary since the Club’s formation in 1864. He came from a family steeped in racing for generations. His great-grandfather William Samuel Cox founded Moonee Valley Racecourse in 1882. Murray’s father, W. S. (Bill) Cox had been secretary at Moonee Valley from 1935. Murray followed his father at Moonee Valley in 1966 before moving to the VRC. During his time in office the VRC constructed the 1979 Hill Grandstand and began computerising racing information.

Prizemoney: $80,000

3YO & Upwards Fillies & Mares Benchmark 78 Handicap. Apprentices can claim.

*First and Second from this heat will be exempt from the ballot in the $152,085 Leilani Series Final (1400m) to be held on Flemington Finals Race Day, Saturday 5 July 2025.

Race History

SIR EUGENE GORMAN (1897 – 1973)

Sir Eugene (Pat) Gorman KBE, MC, QC served as a VRC Committee member for 25 years in two terms, 1937–49 and 1951–64. He enjoyed a distinguished, influential career in many aspects of Australian life. Decorated bravery on the Western Front in the First World War, he became Victoria’s most prominent criminal barrister, building a personal network in business, politics, the law, charities and the armed services. He was a renowned punter and successful owner who raced his horses under the name 'G. Ornong', an anagram of his birthplace, Goornong, Victoria.