Lexus Stakes

Looking to get into the Melbourne Cup? This is your absolute last chance.

The final of the four ballot exempt races for the Melbourne Cup, the Group 3 Lexus Handicap may not hold much in the way of prize money, but a ticket to the race that stops a nation just three days later is enough of a draw card to entice the best stayers in the country out to play.

While backing up to win the Cup may seem like an onerous task, a total of 11 horses have completed the Melbourne Cup/Lexus Stakes double.

The last horse to do it was Shocking in 2009.

Formally known as The Hotham, the race has over 150 years of history in Australian racing and will continue to be an integral part of the Melbourne Cup Carnival in the future.

2017 Lexus Stakes result

2018 Lexus Stakes betting

Markets for the Lexus are usually set a lot closer to the race date due to the fact that the majority of runners in the field are looking to gain entry into the Melbourne Cup.

Keep an eye out as the spring progresses and if a gun stayer is struggling to register the requite wins to make the Cup field don’t be surprised to see it enter the Lexus as a last-ditch effort.

Betting on the Memsie Stakes

You could argue that this race is the prelude to the Melbourne Cup, but there’s no denying it’s the last stop before the big one.

More often than not you will see a number of top quality stayers taking part in this race, which can make it an easier betting race than you would expect. Usually a top-tier long courser will be going around at Racing HQ, which means punters can bet with a bit more confidence.

If your stayer is having to enter the Lexus to win a spot in the race that stops a nation just three days later you’re not having the ideal preparation, but that doesn’t mean you’re without a hope.

Best Lexus Stakes bookmakers

Keen to place a bet on the Lexus Stakes?

Take a look at any of our comprehensive reviews below to make an informed decision before you place a wager.

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Recent Lexus Stakes results

• 2017: Cismontane stays on powerfully to book cup spot
  Gai Waterhouse had a high opinion of Kiwi import Cismontane, and the horse delivered on her promise. Cismontane lead the entire race and looked to be getting swamped in the final 200m but somehow found a way to fight back and book a spot in the Melbourne Cup just three days later.
• 2016: Oceanographer wins in spectacular fashion
  In what could be the best performance in the race’s history, Kerrin McEvoy guided the horse from last to first in a spectacular showing. In what would also become a regular occurrence for punters the luckless Tom Melbourne recorded a second placed finish, a sign of things to come.
• 2015: Excess Knowledge wins by a whisker
  In a driving finish that is the closest margin in recent memory, Excess Knowledge fought on gamely to hold off Zanteca in nail-biting finish. The horse would go on to finish seventh in the Melbourne Cup and sadly never won again.
• 2014: Moreira magic surges Signoff into the Cup
  Favourite backers were happy after Joao Moreira guided Signoff to a strong win at Racing HQ in Melbourne. Settling midfield, the Magic Man took the horse out at the optimal time and streaked away to win comfortable. The Weir runner went on to round out the first-four just three days later in the Cup.
• 2013: Irish import Ruscello upsets the applecart
  Ruscello was a double figure outsider heading into the Lexus but the Irish raider was able to hold out gun runner Let’s Make Adeal in great fashion. The horse would go on to finish a disappointing second last three days later.
• 2012: Kelinni leaves it until the last seconds
  Chris Waller runner Kelinni was somewhat of an afterthought in the market, but the Lexus win proved it had grit to couple with the talent. Kelinni was eighth at the 400m mark but hit the front in the final 100m. Despite looking the goods the horse had to fight to the line to secure the win. The Waller runner went on to finish fourth three days later.

Past Lexus Stakes winners

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