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Are there Derby horses relevant in the Frank Packer Plate run at Randwick on Saturday?
Or will it be the milers? The 2026 Frank Packer Plate (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday will be a test.
2026 FRANK PACKER PLATE - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The Frank Packer Plate is Group 3 race for three-year-olds conducted by the Australian Turf Club at Royal Randwick.
The Frank Packer Plate was first run in 1980 and honours Sir Douglas Frank Hewson Packer (1906–1974), a former committeeman of the Australian Jockey Club for 12 years.
The Frank Packer Plate is run over 2000m under set weights conditions for three-year-olds.
The Frank Packer Plate was a Group 2 race from 1980 to 1990. It has been a Group 3 race since 1991.
The 2026 Frank Packer Plate was run over 2000m for prizemoney of $250,000.
Gai Waterhouse has trained seven winners of the Frank Packer Plate (Juggler, Spurred On, Arlington Road, Afraah, Rockwood, Fat Al and Shangri La Spring (with Adrian Bott)).
Fillies have won the Frank Packer Plate seven times since 1980.
Carbine Club Stakes/Frank Packer Plate double (6) – He's Our Rokkii (2016), Hi World (2015), Fat Al (2012), Mr Piper (1996), Juggler (1995), Espinosa (1994).
The Frank Packer Plate has featured many notable classic three-year-olds and subsequent Group One winners.
The Chosen One won the Herbert Power Stakes in the Spring following his win and was a close second in the Sydney Cup.
Kintyre won the 2024 edition on protest. He was the half brother to Slipper winner Fireburn.
Notable winners include Shaybisc, Dalmacia, Chiamare, Spritely Native, Never Quit, Royal Pardon, Bold Rancher, Juggler, Might And Power, Dodge, Freemason, Arlington Road, Clangalang, Carnegie House, Fat Al, Arabian Gold, He's Our Rokkii and Osipenko.
The 2025 Frank Packer Plate was won by Shangri La Spring from Firm Agreement and Plymouth.
