Naturalism Stakes
The Naturalism Stakes is a Group 3 open handicap race that is held each year at Caulfield racecourse during the Melbourne spring racing carnival in September. The race is run over a distance of 2000 metres and worth $150,000 in prize money. The 2020 Naturalism Stakes was won by Orderofthegarter from Chapada with Steel Prince third.
Run most recently as the 'Bendigo Bank East Malvern MRC Foundation Cup' on the Melbourne Racing Club's popular charity day, the Naturalism Stakes was elevated to Group 3 status for the 2009/2010 racing season. It takes place alongside the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and Group 3 How Now Stakes.
Naturalism Stakes info
| Date: | Saturday 18th September 2021 |
| Track: | Caulfield racecourse, Melbourne |
| Distance: | 2000 metres |
| Race Type: | Open Handicap |
| Status: | Group 3 |
| Prize Money: | $150,000 |
| 2020 Winner: | Orderofthegarter |
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 Group 1 Caulfield Stakes or Group 1 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, winning the 2008 WS Cox Plate at Moonee Valley, while Zipping (2006) ran second behind Maldivian in that event.
Winners of the Naturalism Stakes are are more likely to win or be more than competitive in similar type handicap events during the Melburne spring racing carnival.
Brimham Rocks (2019) finished unplaced in the Gr2 Chelmsford Stakes over 1600m at Randwick in Sydney before heading to Melbourne to win this event in strong fashion for the Chris Waller stable.
Recent Naturalism Stakes winners include Night's Watch (2018) and Harlem (2017).
Spring Carnival Guide
The Naturalism Stakes has generally proven to be a handy guide to some of the better staying races ahead during the spring and the autumn. Amelie's Star (4th in 2017) captured the Gr3 The Bart Cummings at Flemington at her next start. Jameka (2016) went on to run second in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington, while Real Love (7th in 2016) claimed the Gr3 JRA Cup at Moonee Valley.
Magnapal (2015) finished runner-up in the JRA Cup and Let's Make Adeal (8th in 2015) took out The Bart Cummings.
Pakal (4th in 2013) won the listed Cranbourne Cup at Cranbourne after running fourth in this event.
Exceptionally (3rd in 2012) ran third in the Gr2 Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield after finishing third in this event before running second in the Gr3 Hotham Handicap at Flemington on Derby Day.
December Draw (2011) took out the Group 1 Turnbull Handicap at Flemington at his next start, while At First Light (2nd in 2011) finished runner-up in the listed Bendigo Cup.
Moudre (3rd in 2010) went on to run second in the Gr3 Geelong Cup in October before winning the Gr3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Derby Day at Flemington.
Speed Gifted (4th in 2009) travelled to Sydney to win the Group 1 The Metropolitan at Randwick and Zagreb (2008) ran third in the Group 1 Australian Cup the following autumn.
2020 Naturalism Stakes result
1. $2.90 Orderofthegarter 56.0 Damien Oliver
2. $21.00 Chapada 55.0 Daniel Stackhouse
3. $11.00 Steel Prince 58.5 Jye McNeil
then followed
4. $21.00 In Good Health 55.0 Luke Nolen
5. $31.00 Polly Grey 55.0 John Allen
6. $10.00 Game Keeper 55.0 Luke Currie
7. $13.00 Dabiyr 55.0 Michael Walker
8. $13.00 Mahamedeis 57.5 Rhys McLeod
9. $31.00 Think We're Due 55.0 William Pike
10. $61.00 Gallic Chieftain 56.5 Damian Lane
11. $91.00 Super Girl 55.0 Billy Egan
12. $31.00 Shandy 55.0 Daniel Moor
13. $11.00 Kinane 55.0 Michael Dee
14. $101.00 The King 55.0 Dean Yendall
15. $71.00 Haky 59.0 Declan Bates
16. $6.00 Dr Drill 59.0 Craig Williams
Margins: 0.75 len, 0.10 len
Time: 2:01.86
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Naturalism Stakes winners & placegetters
| Year | Winner | 2nd | 3rd | Time |
| 2020 | Orderofthegarter | Chapada | Steel Prince | 2:01.8 |
| 2019 | Brimham Rocks | So You Win | Sikandarabad | 2:02.3 |
| 2018 | Night's Watch | Rising Red | Odeon | 2:02.1 |
| 2017 | Harlem | Samovare | Stampede | 2:00.4 |
| 2016 | Jameka | Gallante | Berisha | 2:03.9 |
| 2015 | Magnapal | The United States | Genuine Lad | 2:02.7 |
| 2014 | Gris Caro | Entirely Platinum | Bonfire | 2:02.6 |
| 2013 | Mr O'Ceirin | Kesampour | Bit Of Hell | 2:07.2 |
| 2012 | Folding Gear | Mr O'Ceirin | Exceptionally | 2:03.1 |
| 2011 | December Draw | At First Sight | Lucky Eighty Eight | 2:02.2 |
| 2010 | Rainbow Styling | Valdemoro | Moudre | 2:01.6 |
| 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 |
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