The 2018 Matron Stakes or ‘Schweppervesence Trophy’ as it has recently been known is a fantastic mares race held every March at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. Run under set weight conditions the Matron Stakes stretches out over a mile in the quest for $150,000 in prize money. The race is open to mares with proven ability and is run on the biggest day of the Melbourne Autumn Carnival alongside the Newmarket Handicap and Australian Cup.
The Matron Stakes is known for often being a gruelling 1600m test that pushes horses right to their limits
It suits runners on their way up in their preparation and those that are fresh but still fit.
For the best form lines look out for fast finishers in the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes at Caulfield in February and the Group 3 Frances Tressady Stakes at the start of March.
Another race that has become a good one is the Group 2 Angus Armanasco Stakes as shown by Pinker Pinker with her double of that event and this event in 2011.
After the Matron Stakes horses could go north for the Sydney autumn carnival and a race like the Group 2 Chairman’s Handicap. In 2009 Divine Rebel even went as far as the 3200m Group 1 Sydney Cup where she finished second.
Other notable winners of the Matron Stakes include Ruling Eyes in 2004, Translate in 2008 and Response in 2010.
2018 Matron Stakes Field
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 010x731x07 | SHILLELAGH (NZ) | Chris Waller | Michael Dee | 4 | 58.5kg | 110 |
| 2 | 111x080x93 | MONTOYA’S SECRET | Leon & Troy Corstens | Luke Currie | 8 | 57kg | 97 |
| 3 | 2x212720x2 | SAMOVARE | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Damien Oliver | 1 | 54kg | 96 |
| 4 | 4444711133 | SCRATCHY LASS | John Hickmott | Harry Coffey | 5 | 54kg | 87 |
| 5 | x2112249x1 | SPANISH REEF | Ken Keys | Craig Williams | 6 | 54kg | 83 |
| 6 | 5615111464 | ROYAL APPLAUSE | Symon Wilde | Ben Melham | 2 | 54kg | 78 |
| 7 | 77295115×3 | MA JONES | Darren Weir | Ben Allen (a) | 7 | 54kg | 80 |
| 8 | 8×31122104 | JESTER HALO | Darren Kolpin | Ms Christine Puls | 9 | 54kg | 78 |
| 9 | 1522546×80 | ZASORCERESS (NZ) | Darren Weir | Damian Lane | 3 | 54kg | 80 |
| 10 | 69×3291344 | TRANQUIL MISS | George Doderico | James Winks | 10 | 54kg | 69 |
Schweppervescence Trophy Past Winners & Results
Winners and placers in the Matron Stakes since 2002 with winning times.
| Year | Results | Winning Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 TBD | 2 TBD | 3 TBD | TBD |
| 2014 | 1 Bonaria | 2 Text’n Hurley | 3 Bippo No Bungus | 1:36.1 |
| 2013 | 1 Bonaria | 2 Spirit Song | 3 Hi Belle | 1:37.1 |
| 2012 | 1 Spirit Song | 2 Marveen | 3 Seduced | 1:35.0 |
| 2011 | 1 Pinker Pinker | 2 Platinum Scissors | 3 Gail | 1:36.4 |
| 2010 | 1 Response | 2 Delta Gee | 3 Midnight Wine | 1:37.7 |
| 2009 | 1 Fifth Avenue Lady | 2 Divine Rebel | 3 Princess Marizza | 1:39.2 |
| 2008 | 1 Translate | 2 Trick Of Light | 3 Like It Is | 1:37.1 |
| 2007 | 1 Like It Is | 2 Danevade | 3 Brockman’s Lass | 1:38.2 |
| 2006 | 1 Umber | 2 Maxerelle | 3 Astrodame | 1:36.2 |
| 2005 | 1 Uprize | 2 Songs Of Vienna | 3 Hidden Strings | 1:36.3 |
| 2004 | 1 Ruling Eyes | 2 Star Of Grechen | 3 Sweet Corn | 1:36.5 |
| 2003 | 1 Lady Knockout | 2 Class Eulogy | 3 Rose Archway | 1:37.7 |
| 2002 | 1 La Zoffany | 2 Tyrolean | 3 Sylvaner | 1:42.3 |