Autumn Stakes

Winners and Past Results

The Autumn Stakes is a Group 2 open race for three year old horses run under set weight and penalties conditions at the Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne during the autumn racing carnival. FREE $200 Bet

The 1400 meter race carries prize money worth $180,000. The event is held in February on the same day as the Group 1 CF. Orr Stakes and Blue Diamond Stakes.

Since 2010 the Autumn Stakes is known as the D'Urban Stakes. The race usually serves as a warm up event for the Group 1 Australian Guineas on Super Saturday at Flemington Racecourse in March. Heart of Dreams ran third in the Autumn Stakes before winning the Australian Guineas in 2009. Classier gallopers prove to be tough opposition in the event due to the set weight plus penalty conditions.

The first Autumn Stakes was a principal race held in 1968 with Anvil recorded as the winner.

It became a Group 3 race in 1980 and was run as the VATC Schweppes Cup.

In 1991 it was downgraded as a listed race until 2005 when it was elevated to Group 3 and finally made it to Group 2 in 2008. It was also known as the MRC Schweppervescence Cup between 2006 and 2008.

Among the recognised horses to win the Autumn Stakes are Flying Gem in 1973, Silver Shaft in 1976, Canny Lad in 1991, Eureka Jewel in 1996, Dignity Dancer in 1999, Royal Rubiton in 1994, Dash for Cash in 2002, Special Harmony in 2004, and the chestnut gelding Apache Cat in 2006.

Apache Cat finished his racing career with an impressive 19 wins from 43 starts which included several Group 1 titles including an Australia Stakes and Doomben 10,000 double in 2008 and 2009, and the TJ Smith Stakes, BTC Cup, and Lightning Stakes in 2008. The champion thoroughbred's career was cut short due to a leg fracture sustained during the 2009 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin racecourse.

Laranto, the 1992 winner of the Autumn Stakes has the fastest recorded timing of 1:22.40 with Fravashi coming a close 1:22.80 in 2009.

Runners that gain a forward position before the 1200 meter mark in this 1400 meter event have a distinct advantage at the Caulfield track.

The Zeditave Stakes and the Premier Signs Handicap (1400m) at Sandown serve as the prefect form guide for punters in a lead up to the Autumn Stakes.

2011 Autumn Stakes (D'Urban Stakes)

Dusty Star led all the way, and showed truly impressive speed, in winning this Group 2 event at Caulfield. After opening up a gap of four lengths halfway through the race, Dusty Star maintained his form to eventually win by a length, ahead of Under The Eiffel and Eclair Mystic, who claimed third in a photo finish.

2011 Autumn Stakes result

1. Dusty Star
2. Under The Eiffel
3. Eclair Mystic

Then came:

4. Roadtrain
5. Eclair Surprise
6. Servant
7. Hollowlea
8. Run For Levi
9. I Think I Do
10. Gilded Spur
11. Kerchings