Naturalism Stakes

Winners and Past Results for the Naturalism Stakes

The Naturalism Stakes is a Group 3 race and is held under the aegis of the Melbourne Racing Club every year in September during the spring racing carnival.

The Naturalism Stakes is a 2000 metre event held at Caulfield Racecourse under open handicap conditions, with a purse of $125,000 reserved for the winner.

Hosted since 1983, the inaugural winner of the Naturalism Stakes was Mevron Boy. From 1983 to 2008 it was run as a Listed Race, after which it was granted Group 3 status for the running of the race in 2009.

It is run on Underwood Stakes Day and shares the day with other Group 3 races which include the Thousand Guineas Prelude and How Now Stakes.

The Naturalism Stakes is a great guide to races such as the 2400 metre Group 1 Caulfield Cup held at Caulfield by the Melbourne Racing Club and the prestigious 2040 metre Group 1 Cox Plate held at Moonee Valley Racecourse. Other major races that horses may move on to include the 2000 metre Group 1 Yalumba Stakes held on Caulfield Cup Day at Caulfield Racecourse and the 2500 metre Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup held at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day.

Some of the notable winners have been Sarrera in 2005, Zipping in 2006 and December Draw in 2011.

Horses may make their way to the Naturalism Stakes from the Group 2 Makybe Diva Stakes. December Draw in 2011 came from winning or placing in a number handicap events in Flemington and an event in Moonee Valley. From here he went on to win the Group 1 2000 metre Turnbull Stakes held at Flemington two weeks later. He was unplaced in his next outing in the Caulfield Cup. 2011 runner up, At First Sight came in after placing 6th in the Makybe Diva Stakes, and from here went on to compete in the Emirates Melbourne Cup coming in 10th among 23 horses. Third place was bagged by Lucky Eighty Eight, who came in after placing well in a number of Handicap events.

Sarrera, who won the Naturalism Stakes in 2005, went on to win or place in a number of group events in 2008 and 2009. Even more prolific, was the 2006 winner, Zipping, who went on win the 2006 Moonee Valley Cup, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 Sandown Classic, the 2010 Australian Cup, the 2010 Turnbull Stakes, and the 2010 Sandown Classic. He also placed in the top four in the 2006, 2007, 2010 Melbourne Cup, 2007 LKS Mackinnon Stakes, 2008 Turnbull Stakes, and the 2008, 2009, 2010 WS Cox Plate Events.

2012 Naturalism Stakes

The pace was good as Mr O'Ceirin raced boldly out front while further back, Folding Gear was part of a midfield group keeping tabs on the leader. Jockey Ben Melham urged Folding Gear to increase the tempo and soon the gelding broke clear of the pack and set his sights on Mr O'Ceirin, who upped the pace even more coming into the straight. On the run home, Mr O'Ceirin tried bravely to hold on but Folding Gear had enjoyed a good run and with plenty in reserve he proved too strong, winning by half a length over Mr O'Ceirin while Exceptionally came from a long way back to claim third with an eye-catching late run.

2012 Naturalism Stakes result

1. Folding Gear
2. Mr O'Ceirin
3. Exceptionally

Then came:

4. Shenzhou Steeds
5. Seville
6. Streets Away
7. Zurella
8. Silent Surround
9. Rialya
10. Budai
11. Unusual Suspect
12. Shewan
13. Norsqui
14. Cuban Sunday
15. Single Minded
16. Sea Galleon