Norman Robinson Stakes

Winners and Past Results

The Norman Robinson Stakes is a Group 3 event race for three year olds, held annually in October during the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival at Caulfield Racecourse. The 2000 metre event is worth $125,000 in prize money and is hosted by the Melbourne Racing Club. It is usually held on the final day of the carnival, on the same day of the Group 1Caulfield Cup. The conditions for this race are set weights plus penalties. Free $200 Bet

First run in 1978, it is one of the youngest events at the carnival. The first race was known as the Wallace Stakes, which was won by Society Beau. It gained its present name the following year, with the 1989 race being registered as the Steeves Lumley Stakes. When established in 1978, it was a Listed Race, gaining Group 3 Status in 1998. The race was awarded greater prestige as a Group 2 race in 2000 but was downgraded again by the officials of Melbourne Racing Club to a Group 3 in 2005.

The Norman Robinson Stakes is the first of the middle distance races for three year old gallopers during the spring carnival, and as such attracts top line horses. Recent history has shown that the better horses have an advantage over the field, with the race usually being won by handy 3 years olds rather than a topliner. Horses come here from competing in the any of the following races, the 1600 M Group 3 Newcastle Spring Stakes, 1800 M Group 3 Gloaming Stakes or the 2000 M Group 3 Craven Plate. Some horses may come in from the 1600 M Group 2 Bill Stutt Stakes held at Moonee Valley. The Group 1 Caulfeild Guineas, run the previous Saturday at the same course is also a good lead up race for the Norman Robinson Stakes, especially if the horse ran strong on the day.

Most of the trainers use the Norman Robinson Stakes as a test or a lead up race to the longer staying races later in the season. The Norman Robinson Stakes contenders usually go on to compete in the 2500 M Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby . The Victoria Derby, held at Flemington Racecourse, is considered to be the premier race for three year olds of the season, and is usually held a fortnight after the Norman Robinson Stakes.

Some of the top performers may go on to tackle the 2040 M Group 2 AAMI Vase on Cox Plate Day at Moonee Valley or the Group 3 Geelong Cup over 2400 metres at Geelong Racecourse in Melbourne. Notable stayers to score in the Norman Robinson Stakes include Blackfriars in 1999, Shamoline Warrior in 2009, Retrieve in 2010 and Sabrage in 2011.

2011 Norman Robinson Stakes

Course and race records were under no threat at all as the field dawdled through the first part of the race, but things heated up when Sangster went round the field with several others in pursuit. Sangster opened up a good lead and looked to have the race under control but Sabrage emerged from the chasing group and was able to get a winning nod over Sangster right on the line, while Niagara did well to finish third after being held up in traffic at a crucial stage of the race.

2011 Norman Robinson Stakes result

1. Sabrage
2. Sangster
3. Niagara

Then came:

4. Costly Commitment
5. Zabeelionaire
6. Vatuvei
7. Trump
8. Isopach
9. Scelto
10. Sleep 'N Pete
11. Chieftain Jack
12. Pump It
13. Bashan
14. Gorilla's Mist