Group 3 race | |
Location | Flemington Racecourse |
---|---|
Inaugurated | 1884 |
Race type | Thoroughbred |
Race information | |
Distance | 1,200 metres |
Surface | Turf |
Qualification | Maidens ineligible |
Weight | Handicap |
Purse | $250,000 (2022) |
The Standish Handicap is a Victoria Racing Club Group 3 Thoroughbred horse race held under open handicap conditions, over a distance of 1200 metres at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia in January, traditionally on New Year's Day. [1] The prizemoney Is $250,000.
The Standish Handicap is named after Captain Frederick Standish, [2] (1824–1883) a VRC chairman and former Chief Commissioner of police at the time of the bushranger Ned Kelly. Standish is also credited with coming up with an idea to run a race and call it the Melbourne Cup. [3]