Alister Clark Stakes 2024

Ladbrokes Tip: Alister Clark Stakes runners often head to Sydney next for the ATC Derby in April.

The Alister Clark Stakes is a Group 2 race run traditionally under the lights at Moonee Valley Racecourse during a stand-alone Friday night meeting during the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival in mid-late March each year.

2021 Alister Clark Stakes winner Grandslam. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

For 2021 the race was moved to the Saturday race card at The Valley to accompany the third edition of the The All-Star Mile (1600m) before reverting back to its usual Friday night time-slot in 2022 on the eve of The All-Star Mile held back at Flemington for the fourth edition.

In 2023 both The All-Star Mile and the Alister Clark Stakes again ran on the Saturday on the same date as the Golden Slipper Stakes in Sydney.

In 2024 the Alister Clark Stakes took place on William Reid Stakes Day at The Valley on the Saturday after the All-Star Mile ran at Caulfield.

Contested over 2040m, the same distance as the coveted Group 1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate during the Spring, the event serves as a potential lead-up for young stayers heading to Sydney.

Open only to three-year-old horses it is a set weights race and currently offers $500,000 in prize money.

The race used to be considered a lead-up to the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) in Sydney, but a change of scheduling sees the better graduates now head to Royal Randwick during ‘The Championships’ for a shot at the Group 1 ATC Derby (2400m).

In 2012 Ethiopia ran second to Highly Recommended in the Alister Clark Stakes before winning the Australian Derby next start as a $14 chance in betting for the Group 1. The 2017 Alister Clark Stakes winner Hardham meanwhile finished third in the ATC Derby trifecta next start.

In 2021 Young Werther ran second in both the Alister Clark Stakes and the ATC Derby, while Explosive Jack improved on his third in the Group 2 to win the Australian Derby – South Australian Derby double at his next two starts before finishing third in the Queensland Derby results.

The 2023 Alister Clark Stakes form also held-up in the Australian Derby with the runner-up Suizuro crossing third in the Group 1 trifecta in Sydney next start.

The latest edition of the Alister Clark Stakes took place on Saturday March 23, 2024 at The Valley on William Reid Stakes Day on the same day as Sydney’s Golden Slipper Day card and was won in a close thriller by NZ Derby runner-up Antrim Coast at $51. 

2024 Alister Clark Stakes Results

The official Alister Clark Stakes 2024 Results & full finishing order will be announced below when the race is run and won on Saturday March 23, 2024.

2024 Alister Clark Stakes winner Antrim Coast scored an upset at 50/1 by the bob of a head. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

• 1st: #5 Antrim Coast
• 2nd: #12 Quintessa
• 3rd: #2 Zipaway

The Stephen Marsh-trained NZ Derby runner-up Antrim Coast ($51) caught the eye first-up in Australia when charging home late down the outside to deny fellow Kiwi and the beaten favourite Quintessa by a nose in the 2024 Alister Clark Stakes results in Melbourne.

2024 Alister Clark Stakes Odds

The latest Alister Clark Stakes 2024 odds will be available below as soon as we open betting on the Moonee Valley Group 2 so bookmark this page for access to the markets.

Alister Clark Stakes Race Info

• Date: Saturday March 23, 2024
• Track: Moonee Valley Racecourse
• Distance: 2040m
• Conditions: 3YO – Set Weights
• Status: Group 2
• Prize Money: $500,000
• First Run: 1939

Alister Clark Stakes Betting

Alister Clark Stakes odds are usually led by three-year-old colts and geldings boasting good lead-up form over at least a mile (1600m). Previous Melbourne runs and experience at the notoriously tight Moonee Valley circuit are also pluses and affect Alister Clark Stakes betting.

Horses coming off a good Autumn Classic run over the 1800m at Caulfield also feature prominently in the markets with Global Exchange (2019) the latest to do the double. In 2020 the Autumn Classic winner Adelaide Ace jumped odds-on favourite in the Alister Clark Stakes only to run second behind the Autumn Classic runner-up Nonconformist who turned the tables.

Favourites have an excellent recent record in the race, and prior to Prix De Turn ($26 in 2022) the last double figure Alister Clark Stakes winner was Hardham ($12 in 2017).

There was a notable upset in 2024 however with the beaten favourite Quintessa finishing runner-up behind 50/1 outsider Antrim Coast.

Alister Clark Stakes betting markets open on the Wednesday before the race after final acceptances close and the barriers are released.

Alister Clark Stakes Field

Alister Clark Stakes winner Tally (2016) went on to run third in that year’s Australian Derby trifecta in Sydney. Photo Credit: Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Alister Clark Stakes race field attracts a line-up of promising young staying types.

Many are heading towards longer distance features in Sydney and the three-year-olds in the Melbourne Group 2 come via a number of different lead-ups. Horses may come out of earlier autumn features including the Group 2 Autumn Classic (1800m) at Caulfield.

In 2015 Chill Party ran eighth in the Autumn Classic before winning the Alister Clark Stakes two runs later. The last horse to complete the Autumn Classic – Alister Clark Stakes double was Global Exchange (2019) and before him, Tally (2016). Tally also went on to run third in the ATC Derby next start. In 2020 Adelaide Ace won the Autumn Classic before a second in the Alister Clark Stakes behind Autumn Classic runner-up Nonconformist.

Another possible lead-up is the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington, a race the 2015 Alister Clark Stakes runner-up Stratum Star finished third in. The previous year in 2014 Surge Ahead ran sixth in the Australian Guineas before his Alister Clark Stakes third to Pheidon. More recently, the 2018 Alister Clark Stakes winner Cliff’s Edge improved on a lead-up seventh in the Australian Guineas to win.

In 2021 Grandslam improved on a 12th in the Australian Guineas to win the Alister Clark Stakes by six lengths.

The next year, Prix De Turn also atoned for a lead-up 12th in the Australian Guineas to score an upset in the 2022 Alister Clark Stakes at $26 defeating fellow 25/1 roughie Can’t Go Wrong.

The Australian Guineas form again held in 2023 with Bank Maur coming off a Group 1 fourth to win the Group 2 at The Valley.

The Alister Clark Stakes nominations close the Wednesday before the race followed by the final field and barrier draw released on the Wednesday.

2024 Alister Clark Stakes Field

The official Alister Clark Stakes 2024 field and barriers are due for release on Wednesday March 20, 2024 and will be published in full below so stay tuned.

The 2024 Alister Clark Stakes final field features a capacity field of three-year-old staying types with Group 1 winning Quintessa from New Zealand leading the latest markets after her lead-up fourth in the Australian Guineas.

2024 Alister Clark Stakes Nominations

The early Alister Clark Stakes 2024 nominations close the Monday ahead of the feature at Moonee Valley and will be made available here once confirmed.

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

Alister Clark Stakes Tips

Bank Maur was good off a Group 1 Australian Guineas fourth to win the 2023 Alister Clark Stakes. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Alister Clark Stakes tips include looking for horses with good lead-up form in Melbourne, runners proven over similar distance and those high up the markets.

Favourites have a good recent record in the Alister Clark Stakes so laying the favourite is best avoided.

The latest favourites to salute were Cliff’s Edge ($1.70 in 2018) and Global Exchange ($2.50 in 2019).

Another good Alister Clark Stakes betting tip is to back the best finishers in the Autumn Classic that will be suited to the step-up in distance.

2024 Alister Clark Stakes Tips

Our Ladbrokes’ exclusive Alister Clark Stakes 2024 betting tips on the three-year-old stayers to back and sack in the Moonee Valley Group 2 will be detailed below a couple of days out from the race so stay tuned.

• To Win: #12 Quintessa ($3.60 at time of publish) – BET NOW

Bumper field gathered for the Alister Clark Stakes, but happy to stick with the Mark Walker-trained Kiwi visitor Quintessa who heads betting deservedly. She is third-up and fit now looking to return to winning form down under. This smart Shamus Award filly is a Group 1 winner over the mile at home and was good in Melbourne when fourth in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington last time out 2.65 lengths beaten. Up in distance now for the first time so could be tested, but think The Valley track will suit and she’s got class. Based in Cranbourne too now so travel no worries.

Alister Clark Stakes Form Guide

The Alister Clark Stakes form guide lists all of the crucial information punters need including the jockeys, trainers, barriers and lead-up runs of the horses in the field.

The Autumn Classic has been a solid form guide for the Alister Clark Stakes in recent years. When doing the Alister Clark Stakes form it is key to look for the class three-year-old with past Group 1 racing experience and those heading towards a run in the ATC Derby.

2024 Alister Clark Stakes Form Guide

A link to our comprehensive Alister Clark Stakes 2024 Form Guide will be provided for punters below the week of the race.

Alister Clark Stakes Results

Single-figure hopefuls and the favourites have dominated the Alister Clark Stakes race results in recent years.

Notable recent Alister Clark Stakes winners include Cliff’s Edge (2018), Highly Recommended (2012), Linton (2010), and Casino Prince (2007).

Tristalove (1994) was the last Alister Clark Stakes winning filly.

Recent Alister Clark Stakes Winners

Past Alister Clark Stakes winners and place-getters dating back to the year 2000 are detailed in the below table.