Caulfield Classic
The Caulfield Classic is a Group 3 race for three-year-olds that is held annually each October at Caulfield racecourse, Melbourne during the spring racing carnival. The race is run over a distance of 2000 metres and worth $200,000 in prize money. The 2019 Caulfield Classic was won by Thought Of That from Warning with Brilliant Venture third.
Previously known as the Norman Robinson Stakes, a prize money boost for the 2014/2015 racing season and a renaming to the 'Caulfield Classic' makes this event a more viable option for any three-year-olds who contested either the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas or the Group 1 Thousand Guineas the previous week at the same track.
Any three-year-old who wins either the Caulfield Guineas or Thousand Guineas and manages to win the Caulfield Classic the following week will receive a $500,000 bonus.
The Caulfield Classic is one of a number of feature races held on the final day of the Melbourne Racing Club's three-day racing carnival on the same day as the Melbourne Racing Club's premier race, the Gr 1 Caulfield Cup.
Learn more about the Caulfield Cup Carnival including feature races days for the MRC's biggest week of the racing year!
Caulfield Classic info
| Date: | Saturday 16th October 2021 |
| Track: | Caulfield racecourse, Melbourne |
| Distance: | 2000 metres |
| Race Type: | 3yo Open - Set Weights |
| Status: | Group 3 |
| Prize Money: | $200,000 |
| 2019 Winner: | Thought Of That |
The Caulfield Classic is the first of the middle distance staying events for three-year-old gallopers during the Melbourne spring carnival and is run two weeks before the Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby at Flemington. Polanski (2013) was the last three-year-old to claim the Victoria Derby after winning this event.
Trainers can use the Caulfield Classic as a test or lead-up race to the longer staying races ahead for any three-year-olds showing staying potential. Raced under set weight conditions, the better horses have an advantage under the weighted scale. History suggests the race itself tends to be won by a handy 3yo rather than a topliner.
Generally speaking, any three-year-olds who previously contested races such as the Gr2 Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley or the Gr2 Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington are suited to this event. Three-year-old classic races, the Caulfield Guineas & Thousand Guineas, held the previous Saturday at the same track, may also provide a stepping stone to this race.
The Melbourne Racing Club announced in March 2015 that the following feature races pertain to a bonus also incorporating the Caulfield Classic.
- Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) Rosehill
- Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) Randwick
- Group 1 Beck Caulfield Guineas (1600m) Caulfield
- Group 1 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) Caulfield
- Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m)
Any three-year-olds who handle the 2000m distance of this race will generally go on and tackle the Victoria Derby at Flemington in a fortnight.
Thought Of That (2019) captured a Maiden race over 1620m at Donald before scoring a classy victory in this event for the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace yard.
Recent Caulfield Classic winners include Thinkin' Big (2018) and Cliff's Edge (2017).
Spring Carnival Guide
Winners and placegetters in this race could possibly head towards the Geelong Classic on Geelong Cup day, the AAMI Vase on Cox Plate day at Moonee Valley, or the AAMI Victoria Derby at Flemington, which are all distance events for three-year-old gallopers.
Extra Brut (6th in 2018) took out the Victoria Derby at his next start, while Chapada (2nd in 2018) and Sikorsky (3rd in 2018) ran third and fourth respectively in that race.
Polanksi (2013) won the AAMI Victoria Derby after winning this race, as did Sangster (2nd in 2011), with Sabrage (2011) finishing third behind him. Prior to that, Retrieve (2010), Pre Eminence (2008) and Headturner (2nd in 2005) all finished third in the Victoria Derby.
It's worth noting that Honorious (2nd in 2012) and Electric Fusion (3rd in 2012) ran unplaced in the AAMI Victoria Derby at Flemington but both managed to place behind Hawkspur in in the Group 1 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm in Brisbane during the Brisbane winter racing carnival.
2019 Caulfield Classic result
1. $4.20 Thought Of That 57.0 Ms Linda Meech
2. $4.20 Warning 57.0 Martin Harley
3. $31.00 Brilliant Venture 57.0 Jamie Mott
then followed
4. $3.70 Miami Bound 55.0 Damien Oliver
5. $12.00 Huntly Castle 57.0 Jye McNeil
6. $9.00 Creator 57.0 Damian Lane
7. $15.00 Power Scheme 57.0 Brett Prebble
8. $21.00 Miroku 57.0 John Allen
9. $12.00 Serengeti 57.0 Rhys McLeod
Margins: 3.75 len, 2 len
Time: 2:02.88
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Caulfield Classic winners & placegetters
| Year | Winner | 2nd | 3rd | Time |
| 2019 | Thought Of That | Warning | Brilliant Venture | 2:02.8 |
| 2018 | Thinkin' Big | Chapada | Sikorsky | 2:06.7 |
| 2017 | Cliff's Edge | Tangled | Main Stage | 2:02.4 |
| 2016 | Good Standing | Rocketeer | Inference | 2:04.3 |
| 2015 | Sacred Eye | Lizard Island | Etymology | 2:03.2 |
| 2014 | Fontein Ruby | Crafty | Firehouse Rock | 2:03.8 |
| 2013 | Polanski | San Diego | Epic Saga | 2:02.0 |
| 2012 | Hvasstan | Honorius | Electric Fusion | 2:03.8 |
| 2011 | Sabrage | Sangster | Niagara | 2:03.0 |
| 2010 | Retrieve | Almindoro | Digital Fortress | 2:08.3 |
| 2009 | Shamoline Warrior | Onemorenomore | Gathering | 2:03.9 |
| 2008 | Pre Eminence | Miss Scarlatti | Paddy O'Reilly | 2.04.3 |
| 2007 | Pillar Of Hercules | Down Under Boy | Villian | 2:04.5 |
| 2006 | Get Square | Ulfah | Sir Lago | 2:03.6 |
| 2005 | Pendragon | Headturner | Replicator | 2:03.5 |
| 2004 | Cedar Manor | Court Ricardo | King Durham | 2:04.5 |
| 2003 | Casual Pass | Our Court | Face Value | 2:04.5 |
| 2002 | Platinum Scissors | Hydrometer | Aint Here | 2:02.3 |
| 2001 | Amalfi | Grey Song | Tully Zeal | 2:05.3 |
| 2000 | Royale Exit | Hit The Roof | Adolescence | 2:01.2 |
| 1999 | Blackfriars | Chief Scout | Freemason | 2:04.5 |
| 1998 | Lawyer | Sky Heights | Arena | 2:04.3 |
| 1997 | Brave Prince | Danasuria | Tie The Knot | 2:03.5 |
| 1996 | Mustang Ranch | Tambour | Ebony Grosve | 2:04.4 |
| 1995 | Nothin Leica Dane | Catalan Opening | Arctic Scent | 2:05.2 |
| 1994 | Punctual | Destined | Celtic Explosion | 2:04.2 |
| 1993 | Battle Hawk | Waikikamukau | McGuane | 2:02.6 |
| 1992 | River Hero | Skilero | Queens Choice | 2:07.7 |
| 1991 | Lady Purpose | Star Of The Realm | Barrakee | 2:00.1 |
| 1990 | Big Dermott | Callao Star | Fire Oak | 2:03.6 |
| 1989 | Counterfeit | Ice Solid | Lemarque | 2:01.6 |
| 1988 | Panneria | Yarra Bay | Oakwood | 2:00.0 |
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