Spring Classic

The Livamol Spring Classic (formerly Kelt Capital Stakes) is a Thoroughbred horse race run at Hastings Racecourse in Hawke's Bay and is New Zealand's richest weight-for-age horse race. It is run at a distance of 2040m and in 2016 carried prize money of NZ$250,000.

For the cycle races known as "Spring Classics", see Classic cycle races.
Spring Classic
Group I race
LocationHastings Racecourse
Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Inaugurated1955
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
WebsiteHawke's Bay Racing
Race information
Distance2040m (10 furlongs)
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds and up
WeightWeight for Age
PurseNZ$250,000 (in 2016)

The race was sponsored by Kelt Capital Limited, and in particular the owner thereof Sam Kelt, a strong supporter of New Zealand and particularly Hawke's Bay racing. The growth in prize money was substantial in the decade up to 2008. In 2000 it was worth $250,000; in 2002 it was the equal richest race in New Zealand at $500,000 and in 2004 it was New Zealand's first million-dollar race for more than a decade. The race was worth $2,000,000 in 2007 and 2008, but the stake had to be reduced to $1,200,000 in 2009 as that level was deemed unsustainable. The 2010 running was worth $250,000, below several major races in New Zealand but still slightly ahead in terms of weight-for-age races. The race has been renamed the Livamol Classic after Kelt Capital pulled their sponsorship.

The race is run on the first Saturday in October, along with two other Group features, the Hawke's Bay Guineas for three-year-olds and a 1400 m handicap formerly known as the G.R. Kelt Memorial. The weather in the Hawke's Bay's means the track conditions are usually excellent.

The race is now regarded as New Zealand's premier weight-for-age race and has attracted interest from overseas, most notably with subsequent world champion miler Starcraft who ran second in 2004.

The race is the part of the Triple Crown raced at Hastings Racecourse, along with:

- (1) the 1400m Challenge Stakes which was previously known as the Makfi Challenge Stakes or Mudgway Stakes and is currently called the Tarzino Trophy - raced on the first Saturday in September, and

- (2) the 1600m Horlicks Plate which was previously known as the Stony Bridge Stakes and is currently called the Windsor Park Plate - raced in late September.

Many of New Zealand's best thoroughbred horses have raced in the various Triple Crown events. A number of horses managed to win two of the three races and some were beaten into second in the third leg. On 5 October 2019 Melody Belle was the first horse to win all three of the Hawkes Bay Triple Crown races.

Winners of the Spring Classic
Year
 Winner
 Jockey
 Trainer
 Time
2019 Melody Belle[1] Opie Bosson Jamie Richards 2:05.45
2018[2] Savvy Coup Chris Johnson M & M Pitman 2:04.08
2017 Wait a Sec Jonathan Parkes Lowry & Cullens 2:05.59
2016 Willie Cazals (IRE) Craig Grylls Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott 2:09.75
2015 Addictive Habit Sam Spratt Lee Somervell 2:05.77
2014 Costume Michael Coleman Graeme & Debbie Rogerson 2:02.66
2013 Ransomed J Parkes Gary Vile 2:04.21
2012 Shez Sinsational Opie Bosson Allan Sharrock 2:04.89
2011 Jimmy Choux Jonathan Riddell John Bary 2:06.24
2010 Wall Street Michael Coleman Jeff Lynds 2:02.97
2009 Vosne Romanee Buddy Lammas Jeff Lynds 2:08.42
2008 Princess Coup Opie Bosson Mark Walker 2:04.58
2007 Princess Coup Noel Harris Mark Walker 2:04.16
2006 Legs Lisa Cropp Kevin Gray 2:03.82
2005 Xcellent Michael Coleman Mike & Paul Moroney 2:03.21
2004 Balmuse Jamie Bullard Kevin Myers 2:05.03
2003 Distinctly Secret Opie Bosson Mark Walker 2:03.64
2002 Prized Gem Michael Rodd Murray Baker 2:04.10
2001 Cinder Bella Lance O'Sullivan Karen Zimmerman 2:03.31
2000 The Message Linda Ballantyne John Ralph 2:03.91
1999 Cent Home David Walker Jim Wallace 2:02.16
1998 Just Call Me Sir Trudy Collett Moira Murdoch 2:04.06
1997 Moss Downs Michael Coleman Chris McNab 2:03.63
1996 Love Dance Gary Grylls Bev & Ken Kelso 2:03.41
1995 Italian Saint Tony Allan Noel Eales 2.03.41
1994 Solvit David Walsh Moira Murdoch 2.00.16
1993 Calm Harbour Lance O'Sullivan Noel Eales 1.59.70
1992 Veandercross
1991 Castletown
1990 Timandra Steed
1989 Lomondy
1988 Classic Bay
1987 Secret Seal
1986 Lomondy
1985 Always Summer
1984 Commissionaire
1983 Commissionaire
1982 Ruanuku
1981 Serendiper
1980 Harmanaire
1979 La Mer
1978 La Mer
1977 Balmerino
1976 Duty Free
1975 Curly Wave
1974 Guest Star
1973 Duty Free
1972 Count Kereru
1971 Game
1970 Game
1969 Game
1968 Dalvui
1967 Terrific
1966 Palisade
1965 Empyreus
1964 Tatua
1963 Picaroon
1962 Moy
1961 Picaroon
1960 Picaroon
1959 Supertax
1958 Rover
1957 Pinnacle Ridge
1956 Syntax
1955 Redcraze
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See also

A list of the winners of all 3 Hawkes Bay Triple Crown events is at Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand

References
  1. https://www.justhorseracing.com.au/news/australian-racing/melody-belle-completes-unique-nz-treble/552245
  2. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2018, 47th Edition, Dennis Ryan, Editor Racing Media Limited
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