Naturalism Stakes attracts capacity field

Goldman will be looking to book a spot in the Caulfield Cup when he lines up in the Naturalism Stakes on Saturday. (Picture: Pat Scala/Racing Photos)

The Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday has attracted a capacity field of 16 stayers vying for a spot in one of Melbourne’s premier spring races.

The winner of Saturday’s Naturalism Stakes gains ballot exemption for the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 21, joining Right You Are as the only horses guaranteed a start.

Having already secured a spot in the Melbourne Cup (3200m), the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Goldman will be looking to sew up a spot in the Caulfield Cup.

Goldman returned from a spell with a midfield finish in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley and is set to appreciate the step up to the 2000m.

Having claimed the race last year with Smokin’ Romans, the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace stable will be hoping one of Floating Artist or Future History can hand the stable further success in the Naturalism Stakes.

Last year’s Melbourne Cup runner-up, Emissary, is another looking to book a spot in the Caulfield Cup – he is positioned 33rd in the order of entry – but is drawn poorly out in barrier 15.

Hezashocka will need to overcome barrier 20 as he looks to go one better than he did in the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) on April 22, when he was nosed out by Right You Are in the only other Caulfield Cup qualifying race.

The $200,000 Naturalism Stakes is race eight on Saturday’s 10-part card at Caulfield, headlined by the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m).


Naturalism Stakes 2023 Final Field

No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight
1 Silks
Hezashocka
Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)
Blake Shinn
20
58kg
2 Silks
Emissary
Mike Moroney
Jye McNeil
15
57.5kg
3 Silks
Floating Artist
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Mark Zahra
10
57.5kg
4 Silks
Regal Power
John Leek (Jnr)
Beau Mertens
8
57.5kg
5 Silks
Goldman
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Jordan Childs
19
57kg
6 Silks
Daqiansweet Junior
Phillip Stokes
Daniel Stackhouse
5
56.5kg
7 Silks
Sheraz
Chris Waller
Damien Oliver
14
56.5kg
8 Silks
Uncle Bryn
Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
John Allen
4
56.5kg
9 Silks
Virtuous Circle
Liam Howley
Billy Egan
7
55.5kg
10 Silks
Bear Story
Clinton McDonald
Blaike McDougall
12
55kg
11 Silks
Milford
Mike Moroney
Patrick Moloney
18
55kg
12 Silks
Berkeley Square
Dan O’Sullivan
Harry Coffey
9
54kg
13 Silks
Hasta La War
Sue Murphy
Linda Meech
11
54kg
14 Silks
The Summit
Ben, Will & JD Hayes
Michael Dee
2
54kg
15 Silks
Timour
Chris Waller
Craig Williams
13
54kg
16 Silks
Future History
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Carleen Hefel
17
54kg
17 Silks
Alaskan God (1E)
Daniel Morton
Jamie Kah
3
54kg
18 Silks
Reo (2E)
Richard Laming
Craig Newitt
1
54kg
19 Silks
Brayden Star (3E)
Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
Craig Newitt
1
54kg
20 Silks
She’s Fit (4E)
Daniel Morton
TBC
6
54kg

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