The Shorts
Looking for this year’s best The Shorts betting markets, tips and form? The experts at Neds have put together everything you need to know before this year’s race.
Run over 1,100 metres, The Shorts is a Group 2 race taking place at Randwick Racecourse in mid-September as the feature race on the program as of 2023.
The event previously ran on the same day as the George Main Stakes before that race was moved to The Everest Day in mid-October and renamed the Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m).
With a $1,000,000 prize purse as of 2023, the event is a set weights plus penalties sprint for the short distance specialists and serves as a key lead-up to the world’s richest turf race – the $20 million The Everest.
In 2017 Redzel won The Shorts before becoming the inaugural The Everest winner. The 2019 The Shorts winner Pierata ran fifth in that year’s The Everest race but then won the Winners Stakes named that year in honour of the previous season’s The Everest champ, Redzel, who went back-to-back in 2017-18.
Classique Legend (2020) is the last sprinter to complete The Shorts – The Everest double.
In 2021 Eduardo improved on his second from the year before to win The Shorts and defeat the favourite Nature Strip.
Eduardo went on to complete the 2021 The Shorts – Winners Stakes double that spring with a third in The Everest results in between.
Nature Strip improved on his 2021 The Shorts second to win that year’s The Everest along with the Group 1 VRC Sprint Classic in Melbourne. He returned in the autumn of 2022 for a third straight TJ Smith Stakes victory and also went to the UK and won Royal Ascot’s Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes by over four lengths.
Nature Strip returned in 2022 to win The Shorts before finishing fourth in that year’s The Everest results.
The 2023 The Shorts was won by the previous year’s The Everest runner-up Private Eye who handed trainer Joe Pride and jockey Nash Rawiller two wins in the event in three years following on from Eduardo (2021).
The Shorts 2024 – Quick Information
- Race Day: Saturday, September 21st, 2024
- Track Location: Randwick Racecourse
- Track Surface: Turf
- Track Direction: Right-handed
- Race Distance: 1,100 metres
- Weight Conditions: Weight for age
- Qualification: Set weights (with penalties)
- Type: Thoroughbred
- Grade: Group 2
- Operator: Randwick Racecourse
- Prize Purse: $1,000,000
- Inaugural Race: 1867
- 2024 The Shorts Winner: I Am Me
The Shorts 2024 RESULTS
The official 2024 The Shorts Stakes results will be available below once the race takes place on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
- #6 I Am Me
- #3 Stefi Magnetica
- #4 Mazu
The Shorts 2024 winner was the Ciaron Maher-trained favourite I Am Me ($2.60F) with The Everest-bound mare completing the Concorde Stakes – The Shorts double thanks to a big run late off an on speed tactical ride by James McDonald.
The Shorts Betting 2024
There are many different ways to bet on The Shorts, and we have included some of the most popular options below:
| Bet Type | How To Place This Type Of Bet In This Year’s The Shorts |
|---|---|
| Win Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will take first place in this year’s The Shorts. |
| Place Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will place in the top three finishers at this year’s The Shorts. Pays less than a win bet, but offers safer odds. |
| Each-Way Bet | If your runner finishes 1st in The Shorts, you will collect both the Win and the Place dividend. If your horse finishes 2nd or 3rd you will collect the Place dividend. |
| Quinella Bet | You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in any order, within The Shorts, in order to win the Quinella. |
| Exacta Bet | You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in the correct order, within The Shorts to win the Exacta. |
| Trifecta Bet | You must select runners to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the correct order, within The Shorts to win the Trifecta. |
| First Four | You must select runners that finish 1st, 2nd ,3rd and 4th in the correct order, within The Shorts to win the First 4. |
| Quadrella Bet (Quaddie) | You must select the winners of four nominated races to win the Quaddie. This means you would have to select three other races apart from The Shorts, in order to be eligible to place a Quaddie. |
How To Bet On The Shorts in 2024
- Join up at neds.com.au
- Make a deposit, using your credit card, PayPal or other safe electronic method
- Make sure to check out form guide, once it’s released
- Decide what kind of bet you’re going to place (Win, Place, Each-Way, Trifecta + more betting options, please read our section on The Shorts Betting above).
- Select the horse(s) for the race.
The Shorts 2024 Odds
Early market betting odds on the 2024 The Shorts will be displayed below once available. Odds are subject to fluctuation. For current odds on all of our live markets, please visit neds.com.au.
Which Horse Will Win The Shorts in 2024
The best way to pick which horse will win The Shorts in 2024 is to take into account their lead-up spring racing form, assess the barriers, their short-distance record over 1100m and any previous Group race experience against similar rivals.
Additional factors to consider when picking The Shorts winner include:
- Local Edge – Sydney horses, especially those with plenty of Randwick Racecourse experience, have a strong record in The Shorts results.
- Past Performers – Sprinters returning for a second shot in The Shorts traditionally perform well in the Group 2. Overpass ran second in both the 2022 and 2023 The Shorts quinella.
- Group 1 Runners – Proven Group 1 winners down in grade for The Shorts have a strong strike-rate.
The Shorts Favourites 2024
Current The Shorts 2024 favourites include the Ciaron Maher-trained mare I Am Me coming off a good win fresh in the Concorde Stakes, Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Golden Slipper winning filly Lady Of Camelot, Joe Pride’s multiple The Everest placegetter Private Eye defending his title in this event, and the James Cummings-trained Aft Cabin looking to return to better form.
Pierata ($2.70 in 2019), Classique Legend ($4.40 in 2020), Nature Strip ($2.40 in 2022), and I Am Me ($2.60 in 2024) are the latest favourites in The Shorts betting to win.
The Shorts Field 2024
The official 2024 The Shorts field of final acceptances is announced the Wednesday leading-up to the race and will be published in full below.
The Shorts 2024 Tips
Favourite: #6 I Am Me ($3.40 at time of publish) – BET NOW
Best Bet: #6 I Am Me to salute for the punters (see above) – BET NOW
Best Roughie: #3 Stefi Magnetica ($12 at time of publish) – BET NOW
Our exclusive The Shorts 2024 betting tips will be published above the week of the race and a full tipping preview available on the Neds Blog.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR COMPLETE 2024 THE SHORTS DAY PREVIEW & TIPS
The Shorts Race Day 2024
The 2024 The Shorts takes place on Saturday, the 21st of September 2024 the key race at the Randwick meeting that also features the running of the:
- $1 million 7 Stakes (1600m),
- Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m),
- Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m), and the
- Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m).
The Shorts Barrier Draw 2024
The 2024 The Shorts barrier draw will be released the Wednesday of race week and published in our above The Shorts Field section.
The Shorts Nominations 2024
2024 The Shorts nominations close at 11:00 AM on Monday, the 16th of September 2024.
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Ballot | Weight | True Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 54241221×2 | BELLA NIPOTINA | M | 7 | Ciaron Maher | 1 | 56kg | 118 | ||
| 2 | 6122x344x1 | I AM ME | M | 6 | Ciaron Maher | 2 | 55kg | 114 | ||
| 3 | 32x26034x4 | PRIVATE EYE | G | 7 | Joseph Pride | 3 | 57kg | 112 | ||
| 4 | 12342x531x | STEFI MAGNETICA | M | 4 | Bjorn Baker | 4 | 56kg | 111 | ||
| 5 | 054x50172x | MAZU | G | 6 | Joseph Pride | 5 | 56kg | 110 | ||
| 6 | 4x1212x3 | LADY OF CAMELOT | F | 3 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 6 | 55kg | 108 | ||
| 7 | 441x25450x | COAL CRUSHER | G | 7 | Joseph Pride | 7 | 55kg | 106 | ||
| 8 | 149x3003x8 | AFT CABIN | G | 5 | James Cummings | 8= | 57kg | 105 | ||
| 9 | 226x1115x4 | ESTRIELLA | M | 4 | Ciaron Maher | 8= | 54kg | 105 | ||
| 10 | 911x049x32 | MUMBAI MUSE | M | 4 | Michael Freedman | 10 | 54kg | 99 | ||
| 11 | 23223x41x7 | DRAGONSTONE | G | 6 | Joseph Pride | 11 | 55kg | 98 | ||
| 12 | 3x13119x00 | BANDI’S BOY | G | 5 | Danny Williams | 12= | 56kg | 96 | ||
| 13 | 11x2113x12 | OUR KOBISON | G | 5 | Angela Davies | 12= | 55kg | 96 | ||
| 14 | 20x1216x33 | WAY TO THE STARS | G | 6 | Matthew Smith | 14 | 55kg | 92 | ||
| 15 | 1116×14350 | SHEZANALISTER | M | 5 | Bjorn Baker | 15 | 53kg | 88 | ||
| 16 | 60x44x40x9 | MORAVIA | G | 4 | Michael Freedman | 16 | 55kg | 86 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
The Shorts Weights 2024
Set weights with penalties apply to this race. Final 2024 The Shorts weights will be announced by 4:00 PM on Tuesday, the 17th of September 2024 with the final weights announced in our above The Shorts Field section.
Private Eye (58kg in 2023) was the last The Shorts top-weight (or equal top-weight) to win.
2024 The Shorts Top-Weights:
- #1 Private Eye (57kg)
- #2 Aft Cabin (57kg)
The Shorts Acceptances 2024
2024 The Shorts final acceptances must be declared before 9:00 AM on Wednesday, the 18th of September 2024 and will be published in our above The Shorts Field section.
The Shorts Jockeys 2024
The final riders announcement is at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, the 18th of September 2024 with the official 2024 The Shorts jockeys to be published in our above The Shorts Field section.
The Shorts Scratchings 2024
2024 The Shorts scratchings close at 7:30 AM on Saturday, the 21st of September 2024.
- #5 Bandi’s Boy (3)
The Shorts Prize Money 2024
The 2024 The Shorts prize purse is worth $1,000,000 in total, distributed from places first through tenth.
| Place | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st | $580,000 |
| 2nd | $190,000 |
| 3rd | $96,000 |
| 4th | $42,000 |
| 5th | $21,000 |
| 6th | $10,000 |
| 7th | $10,000 |
| 8th | $10,000 |
| 9th | $8,000 |
| 10th | $8,000 |
The Shorts Race Number 2024
The 2024 The Shorts race number is scheduled as Randwick Race 9 at 4:35pm (AEST) on Saturday September 21, 2024. There are ten races in total that day at Randwick Racecourse.
The Shorts Form Guide 2024
The final form guide will be available the week of the race. You can check below for a link to our full 2024 The Shorts Form Guide following final acceptances.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR FULL 2024 THE SHORTS FORM GUIDE
The Shorts Live 2024
You can watch or listen to the 2024 The Shorts live, across the following mediums.
Pay television: Sky Racing 1 (channel 526 on Foxtel)
Radio: Radio Sport National
Streaming: Racing NSW
The Shorts Winners
Winners of The Shorts going back to 2000 are displayed in the table below. If you would like to see results going further back in history, please visit our winners page for this race.
| Year | Winner | Trainer/s | Jockey | Weight | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | I Am Me | Ciaron Maher | James McDonald | 55kg | 1:02.40 |
| 2023 | Private Eye | Joe Pride | Nash Rawiller | 58kg | 1:02.66 |
| 2022 | Nature Strip | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 58kg | 1:05.01 |
| 2021 | Eduardo | Joseph Pride | Nash Rawiller | 58kg | 1:03.54 |
| 2020 | Classique Legend | Les Bridge | Kerrin McEvoy | 57kg | 1:02.23 |
| 2019 | Pierata | Gregory Hickman | Tommy Berry | 58kg | 1:03.93 |
| 2018 | Ball Of Muscle | Joseph Pride | Glyn Schofield | 56kg | 1:02.87 |
| 2017 | Redzel | Peter & Paul Snowden | Hugh Bowman | 58kg | 1:01.83 |
| 2016 | Takedown | Gary Moore | Tim Clark | 56.5kg | 1:03.25 |
| 2015 | Rebel Dane | Gary Portelli | Brenton Avdulla | 58kg | 1:04.67 |
| 2014 | Terravista | Joseph Pride | Corey Brown | 56.5kg | 1:02.48 |
| 2013 | Sessions | Peter Snowden | Joshua Parr | 55kg | 1:03.26 |
| 2012 | Pampelonne | Tim Martin | Hugh Bowman | 56.5kg | 1:09.64 |
| 2011 | Love Conquers All | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Jim Cassidy | 56kg | 1:08.71 |
| 2010 | Hot Danish | Les Bridge | Tim Clark | 56.5kg | 1:09.51 |
| 2009 | Gold Trail | Gary Portelli | Nash Rawiller | 56kg | 1:04.82 |
| 2008 | Fritz’s Princess | Kris Lees | Jim Cassidy | 53.5kg | 1:04.03 |
| 2007 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2006 | Bentley Biscuit | Gai Waterhouse | Hugh Bowman | 55.5kg | 1:03.36 |
| 2005 | Black Ink | Les Kelly | Mathew Cahill | 54kg | 1:03.40 |
| 2004 | Dance The Waves | Grahame Begg | Danny Beasley | 52kg | 1:04.61 |
| 2003 | Lucky Night | Pat Farrell | Chris Munce | 53kg | 1:04.84 |
| 2002 | Empire | Max Lees | Hugh Bowman | 54kg | 1:04.11 |
| 2001 | Oamaru Force | David Hall | Glen Boss | 52.5kg | 1:03.47 |
| 2000 | Bradshaw | John Hawkes | Glen Boss | 53kg | 1:03.78 |