The Naturalism Stakes is a Group 3 race held each year under open handicap conditions. This 2000 metre event is hosted by the Melbourne Racing Club at Caulfield Racecourse, with prize money of $125,000 on offer for the winner. While this event has a history that stretches back to 1984, it has undergone a few name and status changes during this time.
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The Naturalism Stakes was originally known as the VATC Royal Show Handicap from 1983 to 1993. It changed name to the VATC Naturalism Stakes in 1995, although was known as the MRC Emirates Airlines Stakes in 2002, the MRC Carnival Stakes in 2003, the MRC Dubai Duty Free Stakes in 2004, and the MRC Nad Al Sheba Club Classic in 2005. It changed back to the MRC Naturalism Stakes in 2006, with this name being used ever since.
The Naturalism Stakes is a good for guide to high profile races later in the season, including the Group 1 Caulfield Cup and the prestigious Group 1 Cox Plate. These two events are not the only possibilities however, with horses also going on to the 2000 metre Group 1 Yalumba Stakes and the 2500 metre Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup.
Some of the well known winners of this event include Sarrera and 2006 winner Zipping, who went on to 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. The 2011 winner of the Naturalism Stakes was December Draw, winning comfortably from At First Sight in second position and Lucky Eighty-Eight in third.
2011 Naturalism Stakes Result
1. December Draw
2. At First Sight
3. Lucky Eighty-Eight
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
Past Results
Year Winner Race Name That Year Status Distance
2011 December Draw MRC Naturalism Stakes Group 3 2000m
2010 Rainbow Styling MRC Naturalism Stakes Group 3 2000m
2009 Red Lord MRC Naturalism Stakes Group 3 2000m
2008 Zagreb MRC Naturalism Stakes Listed 2000m
2007 Douro Valley MRC Naturalism Stakes Listed 2000m
2006 Zipping MRC Naturalism Stakes Listed 2000m
2005 Sarrera MRC Nad Al Sheba Club Classic Listed 2000m
2004 Confectioner MRC Dubai Duty Free Stakes Listed 2000m
2003 Rose Archway MRC Carnival Stakes Listed 2000m
2002 Pentastic MRC Emirates Airlines Stakes Listed 2000m
2001 Inaflury VATC Naturalism Stakes Listed 2000m
2000 Celestial Show VATC Naturalism Stakes Listed 2000m
1999 Second Coming VATC Naturalism Stakes Listed 2100m
1998 Our Unicorn VATC Naturalism Stakes Listed 2000m
1997 Skybeau VATC Naturalism Stakes Listed 2000m
1996 Peep On The Sly VATC Naturalism Stakes Listed 2000m
1995 Campaign Warrior VATC Naturalism Stakes Listed 2000m
1994 Top Rating VATC Naturalism Handicap Listed 2000m
1993 Golden Serpent VATC Royal Show Handicap Listed 1800m
1992 Three Pals VATC Royal Show Handicap Listed 1800m
1991 Newbury Star VATC Royal Show Handicap Listed 1800m
1990 Just A Dancer VATC Royal Show Handicap Listed 1800m
1989 Tiendi VATC Royal Show Handicap Listed 1800m
1988 Ebeli Show VATC Royal Show Handicap Listed 1800m
1987 Tristram VATC Royal Show Handicap Listed 1800m
1986 Sea Legend VATC Royal Show Handicap Listed 1800m
1985 Top Banner VATC Royal Show Handicap Listed 1800m
1984 Mapperley Heights VATC Royal Show Handicap Listed 1800m
1983 Mevron Boy VATC Royal Show Handicap Listed 1800m
