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.	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Barrier	Weight
1	Hezashocka	Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)	Blake Shinn	20	58kg
2	Emissary	Mike Moroney	Jye McNeil	15	57.5kg
3	Floating Artist	Ciaron Maher & David Eustace	Mark Zahra	10	57.5kg
4	Regal Power	John Leek (Jnr)	Beau Mertens	8	57.5kg
5	Goldman	Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott	Jordan Childs	19	57kg
6	Daqiansweet Junior	Phillip Stokes	Daniel Stackhouse	5	56.5kg
7	Sheraz	Chris Waller	Damien Oliver	14	56.5kg
8	Uncle Bryn	Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young	John Allen	4	56.5kg
9	Virtuous Circle	Liam Howley	Billy Egan	7	55.5kg
10	Bear Story	Clinton McDonald	Blaike McDougall	12	55kg
11	Milford	Mike Moroney	Patrick Moloney	18	55kg
12	Berkeley Square	Dan O’Sullivan	Harry Coffey	9	54kg
13	Hasta La War	Sue Murphy	Linda Meech	11	54kg
14	The Summit	Ben, Will & JD Hayes	Michael Dee	2	54kg
15	Timour	Chris Waller	Craig Williams	13	54kg
16	Future History	Ciaron Maher & David Eustace	Carleen Hefel	17	54kg
17	Alaskan God (1E)	Daniel Morton	Jamie Kah	3	54kg
18	Reo (2E)	Richard Laming	Craig Newitt	1	54kg
19	Brayden Star (3E)	Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young	Craig Newitt	1	54kg
20	She’s Fit (4E)	Daniel Morton	TBC	6	54kg