History Of Karrakatta Plate
The Karrakatta Plate is Western Australia’s most prestigious and richest race for two-year-olds.
Below is a history of the race.
KARRAKATTA PLATE HISTORY
The first edition was first run in 1900 and won by Willie.
The Karrakatta Plate has held Group 2 status from 1979 to 1984 and since 1999.
It was a Group 1 event between 1985 and 1998.
Between 1900 and 1979 is was run over five furlongs. From 1980 it has remained at its current distance (1200).
Notable winners include: Bomber Bill (1998), Jacks Or Better (1994), Umatilla (1990), Burgess Queen (1976), Easingwold (1920), Eurythmic (1919) & Jolly Beggar (1908).
The race was not held in 1901, 1993 and 1997, while the 2005 edition, won by No Questions, was run at Belmont Park.
In 1989 Paklani finished ahead of Highpak but was later disqualified after returning a positive swab.
The race has dead-heated on two occasions with His Double & Honneur (1922) and Jolly Beggar & Blue Moon (1908) sharing the honours.
WA Racing Hall Of Fame inductee Easingwold won the 1920 Karrakatta Plate and three years later took out the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.
The 1918 Karrakatta Plate commenced a feature streak for Eurythmic who was successful a year later in the Perth Cup and the Caulfield Cup in 1920.
PERTH STAKES-KARRAKATTA PLATE
Lucky Street (2015), Bomber Bill (1998), Metal Master (2000m), Redwoldt (2004) and Canny Jack (2006).
GIMCRACK-KARRAKATTA PLATE
Elegant Shell (1978), Scornvale (1983), Hold That Smile (1988) and Whispering Brook (2016).
MAGIC MILLIONS-KARRAKATTA PLATE
Lucky Street (2015) and Lucy Mae (2017) and Valour Road (2018).
JOCKEY
Frank Treen (6): Elegant Shell (1978), Sans Sabre (1970), Astra Vista (1961), Spherical (1957), Copper Beech (1951) and Barlowerie (1947).
Frank “Tiger’ Moore (5): Solid Gold (1971), Tricar (1969), Haze (1965), San Vista (1956), Churinga (1946).
CURRENT JOCKEYS
Peter Knuckey (3): Whispering Brook (2016), No Questions (2005) & Diffraction (2003).
Pat Carbery (2): Night War (2011) and Gold Rocks (2009).
Shaun McGruddy (2): Lucy Mae (2017) and Luke’s Luck (2012).
Troy Turner (2): Motion Pictures (2010) and Daney Boy (1995).
Jason Whiting (2): Canny Jack (2006) and Redwoldt (2004).
TRAINER
J.J.Kelly (8): Beaufiler (1937), Gay Balkan (1936), Three Stripes (1928), Kongoni (1925), Honneur (1922), Eurythmic (1918), Bardeur (1915) and Welkin Queen (1914).
CURRENT TRAINERS
Hec McLaren (3) Bomber Bill (1998), Umah (1996) and Alabama Whirly (1996).
Simon Miller (3) Whispering Brook (2016), Night War (2011) and Valour Road (2018).
BARRIER
The most successful barrier since 1977 is gate two with eight wins
GENDER (Since 1977)
Fillies (12)
Gelding’s (12)
Colts (9)
Julio Santarelli