MYER CLASSIC

Group One 1600m for fillies and mares

HISTORY:

* First run as a Listed race in 1988 and won by the Colin Hayes-trained Concordance

* Upgraded to Group Three in 1995, Group Two in 1997 and elevated to Group One in 2004

* Weight-for-age since 2002 when fillies became eligible

NOTABLE WINNERS: Lotteria (2005), Divine Madonna (2007), Forensics (2008), Typhoon Tracy (2009) and Red Tracer (2013)

THIS YEAR'S FIELD:

Thousand Guineas winner Stay With Me, the only three-year-old in the race, is getting between 7.5kg and 8kg off all of her rivals under the weight-for-age conditions.

Royal Descent is the class runner but is dropping back 800m in distance after failing in the Caulfield Cup. Politeness is unbeaten in two starts this campaign, La Passe has won her past two in mares' Group Two races while Miss Rose De Lago led all the way to win over the distance at Caulfield last start.

TALKING POINTS:

* The fastest time recorded was 1:34.20 by Market Price in 2001

* Ten favourites have won the race since its inception, the latest Red Tracer ($3.10) in 2013

* Stay With Me is favourite to become the first filly to win the race

WHAT THE MAIN PLAYERS ARE SAYING:

"A mile is her best distance and her record in Doncasters, Epsoms and George Mains is there to see." Trainer Chris Waller on Royal Descent.

"I've won two from two on her and hopefully I can make it three from three on Saturday. That would be nice." Jockey Luke Currie on Azkadellia who makes her Group One debut.

"She's very game and enjoys her work and in a year when we lack a top-class mare in those ranks, she can do well." Trainer Anthony Cummings on Vergara.

"I really like Slightly Sweet, I think she's my best ride of the day." Jockey Tommy Berry.