Naturalism Stakes

Winners and Past Results

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 2000 metre event is held at Caulfield Racecourse under open handicap conditions, with a purse of $125,000 reserved for the winner. Free $250 Bet

Hosted since 2000, the inaugural winner of the Naturalism Stakes was Celestial Show. From 2000 to 2009 it was run as a Listed Race, after which it was granted Group 3 status. 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 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, and 2009 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.

2011 Naturalism Stakes

Hot favourite December Draw confirmed a place in the Caulfield Cup following a classy win in this Group 3 staying event. The imported galloper was given every chance in the early and middle stages of the race, settling nicely midfield and finding racing room at the top of the straight. From this point the gelding was never threatened and was able to ease up before the line, comfortably ahead of At First Sight and Lucky Eighty-Eight.

2011 Naturalism Stakes result

1. December Draw
2. At First Sight
3. Lucky Eighty-Eight

Then came:

4. Above Average
5. Light Vision
6. Dream Pedlar
7. Niwot
8. I'm Jake
9. Black And Bent
10. Herculian Prince
11. My Bentley
12. Guest Wing
13. Harris Tweed
14. Once Were Wild
15. Exceptionally
16. Montahlia