Prior to 2024 this was a very important race for horses that were still trying to obtain a Melbourne Cup run, as it was the last chance to be exempt from the ballot. This means if the winner has nominated for the Melbourne Cup they would gain automatic entry even if they were at the bottom of the order of entry. It also meant they would only have a three day break between runs.

The race has a long history as it was first run in 1869 as a Principal Race over 1.5 miles (about 2400m) when it was won by a horse called Aurora. In 1972 it became the current distance of 2500m. In 1979 it became a Group 3 race and the name was changed from the Hotham Handicap to The Dalgety, then in 1981 it was upgraded to a Group 2 race. It had many name changes – Crown Quality (1994-1995), Ten News Stakes (1996), Lean Cuisine Quality (1997). Saab Quality (1998-2008), Lexus Stakes (2009-2018) and Lexus Hotham Handicap (from 2019) recognising its original name. In 2005 it was downgraded to the current Group 3 status.

In recent years the international horses have gone well in this race as they try and boost their Melbourne Cup hopes. It was held on Victoria Derby day where all nine races are Group races. The headline race is the Group 1 Victoria Derby but there are three other Group 1 races – the Coolmore Stud Stakes, the Kennedy Cantala Stakes and the Empire Rose Stakes, two Group 2 races – the Wakeful Stakes and the Linlithgow Stakes, and two other Group 3 races – the Carbine Club Stakes and the Begonia Belle Stakes.

Lead-up races include the Geelong Cup, ATC St Leger Stakes, Moonee Valley Gold Cup, The Bart Cummings and races like the Cranbourne Cup.

In 2024 the race has been moved to a September date early in the Spring Carnival. The VRC decided that as the race hadn’t produced the Melbourne Cup in over a decade, making the race earlier would give a better path for stayers targeting the Cup.

2024 Archer Stakes Preview and results

2023 Archer Handicap Preview and results

2022 Lexus Archer Handicap Preview and results

2021 Hotham Handicap Preview and results

2020 Hotham Handicap Preview and results

Last mare to win: Pindi (1994)

Last 3YO to win: C&G – Metford (1897); Filly – no filly has won

Multiple winners: Chagemar (1983 & 1984), Dark Felt (1942 & 1943).

Fastest time (2500m): Coshking (1989) 2:33:3

Hotham Handicap & Melbourne Cup: Shocking (2009), Brew (2000), Think Big (1974), Baystone (1958), Foxzami (1949), Sirius (1944), Dark Felt (1943), White Nose (1941), King Ingoda (1922).

Interesting trivia: In 1956 there was a triple dead-heat for first between Ark Royal, Fighting Force and Pandie’s Sun. In 2020 there was a dead-heat for 3rd.

Winners of past Archer Stakes include Downdraft (2019), A Prince Of Arran (2018), Signoff (2014), Maluckyday (2010), Shocking (2009), Maybe Better (2006), Brew (2000), Sea Legend (1986), Chagemar (1983 & 1984), Allez Bijou (1982), Reckless (1976), Think Big (1974), Scotch And Dry (1972), Tails (1969), River Seine (1963), Better Boy (1955), Foxzami (1949), Dark Marne (1947), Sirius (1944), Catalogue (1939), Spear Chief (1938), White Nose (1931), Shadow King (1929), King Indoga (1922) and Nimblefoot (1870).