The 39th Aust Infantry Vain Stakes takes places this weekend, 18th of August 2012. This $120,000 feature takes place over 1100 metres at Caulfield, where it is the third race on Saturday. Like many races this early in Spring, punters will be looking to the Vain Stakes as a way to learn more about the coming season.
The Vain Stakes has been run since 2002, with Delgo Brom taking honours in the inaugural race. Superstar colt Sepoy stormed down the straight in the 2011 race, after victories in the Blue Diamond Stakes and Golden Slipper as a two year old. The son of Elusive Quality didn’t even need to reach top gear as jockey Kerrin McEvoy posted a commanding two and a half length victory.
Second place in the 2011 event was the Peter Moody-trained Golden Archer, with the Glen Boss-ridden Grand Britannia a further half length behind in third. Peter Moody has another horse in this year’s race, 56kg Planet Voyage.
A complete list of winners from the history of the Vain Stakes is included below, along with weights, times, second and third place.
| Year | Winner – Time | Second place | Third place |
| 2011 | Sepoy – 1.03.9 | Golden Archer | Grand Britannia |
| 2010 | Toorak Toff – 1.07.1 | Soul | Star Witness |
| 2009 | Starspangledbanner – 1.04.1 | Eclair Fastpass | Djatala |
| 2008 | Fernandina – 1.05.1 | Lord Tavistock (NZ) | Exceedingly Good |
| 2007 | Shrewd Rhythm – 1.03.4 | Purrealist | Diplomatic Force |
| 2006 | Haradasun – 1.03.5 | Sharkbite | Churchill Downs |
| 2005 | Red Dazzler – 1.13.7 | Maybe Better | Big League |
| 2004 | Zankel (NZ) – 1.12.6 | Special Voyage | Tantat Secret |
| 2003 | Lisboa Stand – 1.10.3 | Scaredee Cat (NZ) | Keep the Faith |
| 2002 | Delago Brom – 1.10.1 | Great Glen | Broadband |