The Naturalism Stakes is a Group 3 open handicap race that is run over a distance of 2000 metres each September at Caulfield racecourse in Melbourne. The race is held at Caulfield on the same day as the Gr1 Underwood Stakes and is a good lead up race to longer distance races ahead during spring racing carnival.
The Naturalism Stakes was elevated from listed status to Group 3 status in 2009 and is worth $100,000 in prizemoney. The race 2009 Naturalism Stakes was taken out by by Red Lord from Light Vision with Majestical third.
| Naturalism Stakes info |
| Date: |
Saturday September 18th, 2010 |
| Track: |
Caulfield racecourse, Melbourne |
| Distance: |
2000 metres |
| Race Type: |
Open Handicap |
| Status: |
Group 3 |
| Prizemoney: |
$100,000 |
| 2009 Winner: |
Red Lord |
The Naturalism Stakes has been a good launching pad in recent years for up and coming stayers and being over 2000m it provides a good option for trainers who want to test their horses over a middle distance.
The better class gallopers who contest this event may go on to races like the Gr1 Yalumba Stakes or Gr1 Caulfield Cup, while the lesser likes may tackles easier events such as the Gr2 Moonee Valley Cup or Gr2 Sandown Classic later in the spring.
In recent times only Maldivian (2nd in 2007) has gone on to win one of the big three spring races, when he won the 2008 WS Cox Plate, while Zipping (2006) ran second in the 2008 WS Cox Plate. Winners of this race are more likely to win or be competitive in similar type handicap events.

Join Betfair for 20% Better Odds and a $50 First Bet Refund
Spring Carnival Guide
The Naturalism Stakes has been a handy guide in recent times to some of the better staying races ahead in both the spring and the autumn. Zagreb (2008) went on to run third in the Gr1 Australian Cup in the autumn of 2009.
Light Vision (2nd in 2008) ran third in the Gr3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Emirates Stakes day during the Cup carnival, while Baughurst (3rd 2008) went on to win the Gr3 David Jones Cup on Caulfield Cup day before repeating the dose again in 2009.
Maldivian (2nd in 2007) took out the 2008 WS Cox Plate, while Dolphin Jo (3rd in 2007) was successful in the 2008 Presentation Stakes on Caulfield Guineas day. Zipping (2006) went on to run second in the 2008 WS Cox Plate before winning the Sandown Classic over three consecutive years from 2007 to 2009.
2009 Naturalism Stakes result
1. $12.00 Red Lord 55.0 D Oliver
2. $5.50 Light Vision 56.5 N Hall
3. $12.00 Majestical 54.0 C Symons
Then followed:
4. $3.00 Speed Gifted 54.0 D Dunn
5. $31.00 Guyno 55.5 J Whiting
6. $8.00 Hissing Sid 55.0 C Newitt
7. $13.00 Zagreb 55.0 B Rawiller
8. $15.00 Capecover 55.0 C Williams
9. $151.00 Cats Fun 54.5 L Nolen
10. $26.00 Figure Of Speech 54.0 B Shinn
11. $17.00 Tinseltown 54.0 M Zahra
12. $51.00 Ista Kareem 57.0 G Boss
13. $11.00 Baughurst 56.5 N Callow
14. $21.00 Field Hunter 54.5 D Nikolic
15. $51.00 Renewable 55.5 S W Arnold
16. $31.00 Sand Sweeper 56.0 B Melham
Margins: Lg nk, lg nk
Time: 2:04.04
2009 Naturalism Stakes: Red Lord finished strongly along the inside to score a good win from Light Vision who loomed up at the 200m before being overtaken by the winner close to home, while Majestical surged to the lead at the 300m before wilting slightly on his run to finish a close-up third.
| Recommended Bookmakers for betting on Horse Racing |
 |
Better than the three Aussie Tabs with 'City Best Plus + SP' |
Bet now |
 |
Top promotions and ' City Superprice' better than 3 TABs. |
Bet now |
 |
Back or Lay your fancy at 20% better odds than the Tote. |
Bet now |
 |
'SuperOdds' dividend pays better than three Australian TABs. |
Bet now |
Naturalism Stakes recent winners & placegetters
| Year |
Winner |
2nd |
3rd |
Time |
|
2009 |
Red Lord |
Light Vision |
Majestical |
2:04.0 |
|
2008 |
Zagreb |
Light Vision |
Baughurst |
2.03.7 |
|
2007 |
Douro Valley |
Maldivian |
Dolphin Jo |
2.01.3 |
|
2006 |
Zipping |
Show Barry |
Growl |
2.01.8 |
|
2005 |
Sarrera |
Emerald Jack |
Swift Tango |
2.06.9 |
|
2004 |
Confectioner |
Evil Master |
Devastating |
2.05.1 |
|
2003 |
Rose Archway |
Another Warrior |
Vicksburg |
2.03.5 |
|
2002 |
Pentastic |
Spirit Of Westbury |
Thong Classic |
2.03.0 |
|
2001 |
Inaflury |
Celestial Show |
Natch |
2.02.0 |
|
2000 |
Celestial Show |
Ancient City |
Prince Iluka |
2.02.1 |