We will have expert tips for the 2020 Emirates Stakes when markets are released.

The Emirates Stakes was formerly known as the Mackinnon Stakes from 1937-2015 and changed names when major airline Emirates took over the sponsorship rights in 2016.

That created a change in the schedule of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, which now sees the Emirates Stakes run on the final day alongside the Darley Classic for the sprinters.

Victoria Racing decided to run the Emirates Stakes on the final day of the carnival to attract the runners left over from the Cox Plate. The Emirates Stakes acts as a better race for the Cox Plate runners as opposed to the Melbourne Cup, which is a much bigger rise in distance.

First run in 1869, the Emirates Stakes has established itself as one of the premier weight-for-age races in Australia and it’s only growing in popularity as more-and-more Cox Plate runners line up in the Flemington Day 4 feature.

When run as the Mackinnon Stakes on the first day of the carnival, it was regarded as a key lead-up to the Melbourne Cup run on the following Tuesday. It yielded four Melbourne Cup winners, including Rogan Josh and Let’s Elope.

Now not used as a lead-up to the Melbourne Cup, the Emirates Stakes acts as a grand final for the middle-distance runners during the Cup Carnival and it’s a great way to bring the carnival to a close. It’s the second-to-last race during the carnival and punters will wait for the final Group 1 to be played out.

Due to the even nature of the Emirates Stakes, favourites have a poor record in the 2000m feature on the final day of the carnival.

There has been only one favourite to win in the last 10 years and during that stretch, only three favourites managed to place in the Emirates Stakes.

Because the field is so even, bookmakers often offer loose odds for the favourite, which can influence the statistics regarding favourites. For instance, 2017 winner Tosen Stardom was well-backed at 6.50 in the betting but wasn’t classed as the favourite.

The lack of short-priced favourites in recent history makes for a good each way betting race but there have been some hot-pots to get beaten. Ocean Park, El Segundo, The Phantom Chance and Surfers Paradise were all beaten at short odds.

Typically regarded as a “good horses” race, the Emirates Stakes has been taken out by some champions of the turf. So You Think, Lonhro, Paris Lane, Better Loosen Up and Rubiton were all successful.

The best jockey to follow is Damien Oliver who has five wins from 19 rides. Bart Cummings was the most successful trainer with five wins from 20 starters.

Since 1983, there has been seven winners paying double figures with favourites winning nine and placing five times during that stretch.

The best barrier to follow is barrier four. Seven winners have jumped from barrier four with four winners coming from barriers 2, 3, 5 and 8.

The Cox Plate is a big form guide for the Emirates Stakes but punters should look for the runners that didn’t ensure a tough run at Moonee Valley.

Due to the schedule change, the impact of the Emirates Stakes isn’t as big as it used to be, but many runners come out of the Emirates Stakes and head to the Sandown Classic.

Run a week following the Melbourne Cup Carnival, the Sandown Classic is a good race for those staying in work and the Emirates Stakes is a good form guide with The Taj Mahal winning in 2017 following his fourth placing in the Emirates.