The Kingsford Smith Cup has traditionally been one of the more overlooked Group 1 races on the Australian calendar, squeezed in-between the Sydney autumn carnival and before the Stradbroke, with competition from the more historic Goodwood in Adelaide around the same time.

The race was granted Group 1 status in 2006, and was won by both Apache Cat and Black Cavair in the five years hence, to legitimise its standing. With a million dollar purse attached, the Brisbane Racing Club is ensuring the race is an attractive target for up-and-coming sprinters on the Stradbroke path.