Moonee Valley Vase
The Moonee Valley Vase is a Group 2 race run under Set Weight conditions for three year olds at Moonee Valley conducted by the Moonee Valley Racing Club.
The Moonee Valley Vase is run over the Cox Plate distance of 2040m. It was first run in 1981 and was won by Vinaka.
Early on the race was over a mile but from 1986 went to 2040m as the Derby lead up.
The Moonee Valley Vase started as a Listed race but was Group 3 from 1989 to 1996 and then was Group 2 after that.
It regularly has sponsors names but the Vase is the registered title.
No three year old has come back to win the Cox Plate after winning the Vase the year before.
Often the Derby winner runs in this but doesn't always win such as 2016 when Prized Icon was fifth and then won the Derby with ease.
These 3yos have done the Moonee Valley Vase/Victoria Derby double – Efficient, Plastered, Helenus, Blevic, Raveneaux.
Only Jameka has done the Vase/VRC Oaks double.
The Moonee Valley Vase was worth $400,000 in 2024.
Notable winners of the Moonee Valley Vase include Forgot You (2021), Aloisia (2017), Jameka (2015), Super Cool (2012), Manawanui (2011), Rekindled Interest (2010), Whobegotyou (2008), Efficient (2006), Plastered (2004), Helenus (2002), Diatribe (1999), Gold Guru (1997), Alfa (1996), Blevic (1994), Naturalism (1991), Raveneaux (1986) and Centaine (1983).
The 2023 Moonee Valley Vase was won by Apulia from Verdad and Air Assault.