<p>The Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes is named after champion mare Empire Rose, who won the Melbourne Cup in 1988. It is the premier race for mares during Melbourne Cup week, and one of three Group 1 races on Derby Day.</p> <p>The 1600m, weight-for-age event has been a Group 1 race since 2004. Past outstanding winners include Pride Of Jenni, Melody Belle, Typhoon Tracy, Forensics, Miss Potential, Bonanova and Lotteria.</p> <p>In 2023, Pride Of Jenni dazzled Flemington with an awesome all-the-way win and last year, Atishu, won for trainer Chris Waller.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Empire Rose Stakes 2025 Preview and Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Track: </strong>Flemington.</p> <p><strong>Distance/type: </strong>1600m. Fillies &amp; Mares 3YO+. Weight-for-age.</p> <p><strong>Date: </strong>Saturday, 1 November.</p> <p><strong>Total prizemoney: </strong>$1,000,000</p> <p><strong>First prize: </strong>$600,000</p> <p><strong>Empire Rose Stakes – Race and Time: </strong>Race 8 (5.00 pm)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Weather and Track</h2> <p>The Flemington track was rated a Good 4 on Wednesday. The warm weather – mid-20s – with some rain on Friday, up to 10mm, but fine weather for race day. Expect a close to perfect surface.</p> <p>The rail is true. Track should play fairly.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>The Trainers</h3> <p>In the past, leading trainer Chris Waller has dodged the Empire Rose Stakes with his star mare Fangirl, but she’s running this year. Waller has won the race three times, including last year with Atishu. Waller has a strong hand this year with three other high-class mares, Leica Lucy, Lazzura and Firestorm.</p> <p>Ciaron Maher saddles the brilliant but enigmatic Pride Of Jenni, who gave the trainer his only win in the race in 2023, after which she became the best middle-distance horse in Australia. Jenni has mixed her form in the past 12 months, but as usual she will lead and set a fast pace.</p> <p>The Grahame Begg stable has been running hot this season. Begg, who saddles Splash Black, won the Empire Rose with Bonanova in 1998.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>The Jockeys</h3> <p>James McDonald has dominated Derby Day in recent years, but he’s missing this year after deciding to ride Autumn Glow in the $10m Golden Eagle at Randwick in Sydney. McDonald won last year’s Empire Rose Stakes on Atishu and a first on Shillelagh in 2018.</p> <p>The retired Damien Oliver holds the Empire Rose riding record with four wins.&nbsp;</p> <p>Declan Bates rode Pride Of Jenni brilliantly to win in 2023, but he was sacked from the mare late last year. He has redemption and returns to ride her again this year.&nbsp;</p> <p>The only other current winning jockey is Kerrin McEvoy, who won on Forensics in 2008. McEvoy has been booked to ride Fangirl in McDonald’s absence.&nbsp;</p> <p>The only other jockey who has won this race in the past is Craig Williams, who won on Icebath (2022) and Lyrical Bid (2006).. He has been booked for Benagil.&nbsp;</p> <p>Jamie Melham, who rides the well-fancied Abounding, will be the first female jockey to win the Empire Rose Stakes.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>The Speed Map</h3> <p><strong>Tempo prediction: </strong>fast</p> <p>As she does in all her races, and as she did when she brilliantly won the 2023 Empire Rose Stakes, Pride Of Jenni will lead and set a cracking pace that will put most of her rivals under pressure.</p> <p>In the past, Fangirl hasn’t handled hectic tempos as she has sit-sprint affairs. However, this is her time to shine. From barrier six, Kerrin McEvoy, can ride her midfield with cover. Abounding (barrier one), Leica Lucy (barrier three) and Idle Flyer (barrier five) are drawn to get the cover they need to be able to run down Pride Of Jenni.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3><strong>Point of Interest</strong></h3> <p><strong>Significant gear change: </strong>Leica Lucy has a one-sided, near-side blinker add to help her from laying in towards the rail.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Empire Rose Stakes 2025 Racing Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Empire Rose Stakes Top Tip&nbsp;</h3> <p><strong>Fangirl</strong></p> <p>One of the best mares in Australia, and at her best over 1600m. She comes off a luckless run in the King Charles III Stakes at Randwick, two weeks ago, when she settled too far back. This is her chance to knock off Pride Of Jenni</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Empire Rose Stakes Dangers</h3> <p><strong>Idle Flyer</strong></p> <p>Emerging mare from Sydney who was dynamic winning the G3 Angst Stakes (1600m) at Randwick two weeks ago. Her winning time was quicker than the G1 King Charles III Stakes that day. She is a serious threat to Fangirl.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Abounding</strong></p> <p>She was stiff not to win the Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington three starts back. Big win in the Tristarc Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield. Ready for 1600m and drawn perfectly in barrier one.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Leica Lucy</strong></p> <p>New Zealand Oaks winner last season. Trainer Chris Waller has kept her to shorter distances with this race in mind. Mark Zahra rides and she will relish the hot tempo.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Pride Of Jenni</strong></p> <p>She has been very inconsistent since her stellar season in 2023-24 when she won this race in great style, leading in fast time. She will attempt to do it again, but is she going as well to win again?</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Empire Rose Stakes Roughies</h3> <p><strong>Benagil</strong></p> <p>Might be underrated in this crack field. She won the G1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville in May. Nice return in an unsuitable race at Caulfield. Expect her to be running on late.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Empire Rose Stakes Same Race Multi (pick a combination)</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Fangirl –</strong> top two</p> <p><strong>Idle Flyer, Abounding –</strong> top four</p> <p><strong>Pride Of Jenni, Leica Lucy – </strong>top five</p> <p><strong>Benagil –</strong> top six</p>