Spring Classic


The Livamol Spring Classic 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.
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:
- 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
- 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
2019Melody BelleOpie BossonJamie Richards2:05.45
2018Savvy CoupChris JohnsonM & M Pitman2:04.08
2017Wait a SecJonathan ParkesLowry & Cullens2:05.59
2016Willie Cazals Craig GryllsLance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott2:09.75
2015Addictive HabitSam SprattLee Somervell2:05.77
2014CostumeMichael ColemanGraeme & Debbie Rogerson2:02.66
2013RansomedJ ParkesGary Vile2:04.21
2012Shez SinsationalOpie BossonAllan Sharrock2:04.89
2011Jimmy ChouxJonathan RiddellJohn Bary2:06.24
2010Wall StreetMichael ColemanJeff Lynds2:02.97
2009Vosne RomaneeBuddy LammasJeff Lynds2:08.42
2008Princess CoupOpie BossonMark Walker2:04.58
2007Princess CoupNoel HarrisMark Walker2:04.16
2006LegsLisa CroppKevin Gray2:03.82
2005XcellentMichael ColemanMike & Paul Moroney2:03.21
2004BalmuseJamie BullardKevin Myers2:05.03
2003Distinctly SecretOpie BossonMark Walker2:03.64
2002Prized GemMichael RoddMurray Baker2:04.10
2001Cinder BellaLance O'SullivanKaren Zimmerman2:03.31
2000The MessageLinda BallantyneJohn Ralph2:03.91
1999Cent HomeDavid WalkerJim Wallace2:02.16
1998Just Call Me SirTrudy CollettMoira Murdoch2:04.06
1997Moss DownsMichael ColemanChris McNab2:03.63
1996Love DanceGary GryllsBev & Ken Kelso2:03.41
1995Italian SaintTony AllanNoel Eales2.03.41
1994SolvitDavid WalshMoira Murdoch2.00.16
1993Calm HarbourLance O'SullivanNoel Eales1.59.70
1992Veandercross
1991Castletown
1990Timandra Steed
1989Lomondy
1988Classic Bay
1987Secret Seal
1986Lomondy
1985Always Summer
1984Commissionaire
1983Commissionaire
1982Ruanuku
1981Serendiper
1980Harmanaire
1979La Mer
1978La Mer
1977Balmerino
1976Duty Free
1975Curly Wave
1974Guest Star
1973Duty Free
1972Count Kereru
1971Game
1970Game
1969Game
1968Dalvui
1967Terrific
1966Palisade
1965Empyreus
1964Tatua
1963Picaroon
1962Moy
1961Picaroon
1960Picaroon
1959Supertax
1958Rover
1957Pinnacle Ridge
1956Syntax
1955Redcraze