Group 3 race | |
Location | Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia |
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Inaugurated | 1983 (Principal race as VATC Royal Show Handicap) |
Race type | Thoroughbred |
Sponsor | Catanach's Jewellers (2022) |
Race information | |
Distance | 2,000 metres |
Surface | Turf |
Weight | Open handicap |
Purse | $200,000 (2024) |
Bonuses | Winner ballot exemption Caulfield Cup |
The MRC Foundation Cup, registered as the Naturalism Stakes, is a Melbourne Racing Club Group 3 Thoroughbred open handicap horse race, over a distance of 2,000 metres. It is held annually at Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia in September. Total prize money for the race is A$200,000.[1]
The registered race is named after Naturalism, who won the 1993 Caulfield Stakes. The Naturalism Stakes is a good guide to high-profile races later in the season, including the Caulfield Cup and the prestigious W S Cox Plate.[2]
Since 2007 the race winner obtains a ballot exemption from the Caulfield Cup.[3]
1st of 16 CAUL 23Sep00 2000m Good3 NATURALISM Listed $100,000 ($65,000) Jason Brown 53kg Barrier 1 2nd Ancient City (NZ) 56.5kg, 3rd Prince Iluka 53kg 2:02.19 (600m 35.03), 0.1L, 2nd@800m, 2nd@400m, 8-1/5-1