Caulfield Classic
Horse race
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Caulfield Classic, raced as the Sportsbet Classic due to sponsorship and registered as the Norman Robinson Stakes, is a Melbourne Racing Club Group 3 Thoroughbred horse race held under set weights conditions, for horses three years old, run over a distance of 2000 metres. It is held at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia on Caulfield Cup day in October.[1] Prizemoney is A$240,000.
| Class | Group 3 |
|---|---|
| Location | Caulfield Racecourse |
| Inaugurated | 1971 (as Wallace Stakes) |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Sponsor | Sportsbet (2025) |
| Website | www.melbourneracingclub.net.au |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 2,000 metres |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds |
| Weight | Set weights colts and geldings – 57 kg fillies 55 kg |
| Purse | $240,000 (2025) |
History
The race was run as a handicap until 1990, now run under set weight conditions. Originally the race was scheduled on the second day of the VATC Spring carnival.[2] The registered name of the race is named after the former VATC Chairman Norman Robinson who was elected to that position in 1942.[3] The MRC increased the prizemoney in 2014 to A$750,000 with a $250,000 bonus to the winner of the Caulfield Guineas or Thousand Guineas if they are able to win both events.[4] In 2015, the prizemoney was reduced to $500,000. The event is considered a strong preparatory race for the Victoria Derby.[1]
Grade
- 1978 - Listed race
- 1978 - Special race
- 1980–1997 - Listed Race
- 1998–1999 - Group 3
- 2000–2004 - Group 2
- 2005 onwards - Group 3
Name
- 1971–1978 - Wallace Stakes[5]
- 1979–1988 - Norman Robinson Stakes
- 1989 - Steeves Lumley Stakes
- 1990–2013 - Norman Robinson Stakes
- 2014–2015 - Caulfield Classic
- 2016 onwards - Ladbrokes Classic
Distance
The race has been run over 2000 metres with exceptions of:
Double winners
Thoroughbreds that have won the Norman Robinson Stakes – Victoria Derby double:
- Nothin’ Leica Dane (1995), Blackfriars (1999), Amalfi (2001), Polanski (2013)
Winners
- 2023 - Sunsets[7]
- 2022 - Mr Maestro[8]
- 2021 - Gunstock[9]
- 2020 - Albarado[10]
- 2019 - Thought Of That[11]
- 2018 - Thinkin’ Big[12]
- 2017 - Cliff's Edge[13]
- 2016 - Good Standing[14]
- 2015 - Sacred Eye[15]
- 2014 - Fontein Ruby[16]
- 2013 - Polanski[17]
- 2012 - Hvasstan[18]
- 2011 - Sabrage[19]
- 2010 - Retrieve[20]
- 2009 - Shamoline Warrior[21]
- 2008 - Pre Eminence[22]
- 2007 - Pillar Of Hercules[23]
- 2006 - Get Square[24]
- 2005 - Pendragon[25]
- 2004 - Cedar Manor[26]
- 2003 - Casual Pass[6]
- 2002 - Platinum Scissors[27]
- 2001 - Amalfi[28]
- 2000 - Royale Exit[29]
- 1999 - Blackfriars[30]
- 1998 - Lawyer[31]
- 1997 - Brave Prince
- 1996 - Mustang Ranch
- 1995 - Nothin’ Leica Dane
- 1994 - Punctual
- 1993 - Battle Hawk
- 1992 - River Hero
- 1991 - Lady Purpose
- 1990 - Big Dermott
- 1989 - Counterfeit
- 1988 - Panneria
- 1987 - Omnicorp
- 1986 - Dundas Lane
- 1985 - Born To Be Queen
- 1984 - Gold Deck
- 1983 - King Delamere
- 1982 - Brightman
- 1981 - Lordship
- 1980 - Bright Halo
- 1979 - Attack[2]
- 1978 - Society Beau
