Caulfield Stakes

Race Preview

The Yalumba Stakes (aka Caulfield Stakes) is a Group 1 race held on Caulfield Guineas Day each year at Caulfield racecourse in Melbourne. It is raced over a distance of 2000m and is held under weight for age conditions, carrying prize money of $400,000. It is held the same day as the Caulfield Guineas and the Toorak Handicap.

It was first held in 1886 and upgraded to Group 1 status in 1979. Some fabulous horses have been successful in this race before going on to win races such as the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate several weeks later. In fact the Yalumba Stakes has produced 14 Caulfield Cup winners, 12 Cox Plate winners and 3 Melbourne Cup winners. Most notably Lonhro, Northerly, Might And Power, Bonecrusher, Ajax and Comic Court.

There are some good lead up races to look at when analysing the Yalumba Stakes. Pay close attention to races of a similar distance and conditions such as the Underwood Stakes and Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes. Heart Of Dreams took out the the 2009 Underwood Stakes ahead of Whobegotyou and Predatory Pricer. While Whobegotyou won the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes ahead of Mic Mac and Jolie’s Shinju.