Naturalism Stakes (MRC Foundation Cup) 2024

Ladbrokes Tip: The Naturalism Stakes (MRC Foundation Cup) serves as a good lead-up into the Caulfield Cup

Held on a weekend in mid to late September during the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival at Caulfield Racecourse, the Naturalism Stakes – currently run as the MRC Foundation Cup – is a Group 3 race for horses aged three and above contested over 2000m.

2022 Naturalism Stakes winner Smokin’ Romans. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

The quality handicap race is one of three Group races at the meeting that is headlined by the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) and also features the Caulfield Guineas-bound three-year-olds facing off in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m).

The Naturalism Stakes has been recently been run as the MRC Foundation Cup and offers $200,000 in prize money as well as a ballot exemption into the Group 1 $5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) the following month.

Jameka (2016) was the last stayer to complete the Naturalism Stakes – Caulfield Cup double.

More recently in 2021 the Naturalism Stakes winner Nonconformist finished second in both the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes and Caulfield Cup results that spring.

In 2022 the Naturalism Stakes winner Smokin’ Romans won the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at his next start, while that spring’s subsequent Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip finished third in the Naturalism.

The latest edition of the Naturalism Stakes ran on Saturday, September 21, 2024 as the MRC Foundation Cup and was won in a narrow upset by the Andrew Forsman-trained mare Positivity ($16) who could be Caulfield Cup-bound.

2024 Naturalism Stakes (MRC Foundation Cup) Results

The official MRC Foundation Cup 2024 results & finishing order will be published below once the race is run and won on Saturday, September 21, 2024.

2024 Naturalism Stakes winner Positivity. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

• 1st: #14 Positivity
• 2nd: #11 Future History
• 3rd: #9 Gear Up

The Andrew Forsman-trained NZ Oaks runner-up from earlier in the year, Positivity ($16), continued her good four-year-old form at Caulfield finishing strongly to win the 2024 Naturalism Stakes results by the bob of the head on way to a potential Group 1 Caulfield Cup run on October 19.

2024 Naturalism Stakes (MRC Foundation Cup) Odds

The latest MRC Foundation Cup 2024 betting odds and links to our Caulfield racing markets will be open below as soon as released so stay tuned for the top odds on the Caulfield Cup-bound stayers this spring.

Naturalism Stakes Race Info

• Current Race Name: MRC Foundation Cup
• Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
• Track: Caulfield Racecourse
• Distance: 2000m
• Conditions: 3YOs and above – Quality Handicap
• Status: Group 3
• Prize Money: $200,000
• First Run: 1983

Naturalism Stakes (MRC Foundation Cup) Betting

Naturalism Stakes betting markets are dominated each year by in-form staying types with proven ability over 2000m and further in distance.

Well-weighted runners, those with a strong record at the Caulfield track as well as any past Group 1 horses down in grade are usually at short Naturalism Stakes odds in the spring.

Nonconformist ($4.40 in 2021) was the last favourite in Naturalism Stakes betting to win.

There was a notable upset in 2023 with Uncle Bryn improving on his second the year before to win at Naturalism Stakes odds of $26!

In 2024 the Naturalism Stakes winner was also at double-figures with Positivity saluting at $16.

Naturalism Stakes (MRC Foundation Cup) Tips

Good Naturalism Stakes tips include backing progressive stayers with form over 2000m plus and any Group 1 horses down in grade.

Gallopers with a strong spring lead-up and solid strike-rate at the Caulfield track also make a nice bet in Naturalism Stakes tipping.

2024 Naturalism Stakes Tips

Our Ladbrokes’ insider MRC Foundation Cup 2024 betting tips and Group 3 racing picks for the Caulfield Cup lead-up race will be detailed below the week of the race so stay tuned for the horses to lock-in for the win and to take in Group 1 futures markets on the mile and a half feature next race.

• To Win: #11 Future History ($20 at time of publish) – BET NOW

Melbourne Cup hopefuls start to put their hands up for a shot at the world’s richest handicap and going for the value in this year’s MRC Foundation Cup with Future History on top at $20 at time of publish. The Ciaron Maher-trained seven-year-old has a great 2000m record (8:4-2-0) and is second-up off a good resuming run only a half-length third in a Listed race here with 56kg last time out. Better for the run and gets further now with a slight drop back in weight. Rails run from the inside alley in a big field so needs to get into the right spot, but think this Group 3 winning French import who ran 15th in the Melbourne Cup results last year could surprise a few. 

Naturalism Stakes (MRC Foundation Cup) Field

The Naturalism Stakes race field attracts a line-up of the season’s promising stayers heading towards a Caulfield Cup target the next month.

Following the Naturalism Stakes, some of the more dour stayers may target the Group 3 The Bart Cummings on Turnbull Stakes Day as a Melbourne Cup lead-up.

2024 Naturalism Stakes Field

The official MRC Foundation Cup 2024 Final Field & Barriers are released the Wednesday of race week and will be published below.

The 2024 MRC Foundation Cup field features a line-up of potential Melbourne Cup horses led in betting by the Ciaron Maher-trained UK import Saint George second-up and down notably in weight.

2024 Naturalism Stakes (MRC Foundation Cup) Nominations

The MRC Foundation Cup 2024 Nominations are taken the Monday of race week and the list of early entries will be provided below once announced.

Naturalism Stakes (MRC Foundation Cup) Form Guide

The Naturalism Stakes form guide details to punters all the need-to-know information from trainers and jockeys to barriers and lead-up runs.

The Naturalism Stakes form has also stacked up in tougher spring races in recent years including the Caulfield Cup and Moonee Valley’s prestigious Cox Plate.

2024 Naturalism Stakes Form Guide

A link to our detailed MRC Foundation Cup 2024 Form Guide will be provided for punters below the week of the race.

Naturalism Stakes / MRC Foundation Cup Results

Notable recent Naturalism Stakes / MRC Foundation Cup winners include Zipping (2006), Mr O’Ceirin (2012), Jameka (2016), subsequent dual Group 1 Australian Cup hero Harlem (2017), and Nonconformist (2021).

Positivity (2024) was the last Naturalism Stakes winning mare and the first since Jameka in 2016.

Gold Trip (3rd in 2022) was the last Melbourne Cup winner to come off a Naturalism Stakes run.

Harlem holds the current Naturalism Stakes race record winning over 2000m in 2017 in 2 minutes 00:43 seconds.

Past Naturalism Stakes / MRC Foundation Cup Winners

Past Naturalism Stakes winners and placegetters dating back to the year 1994 are detailed in the below table.

FAQ

When is the MRC Foundation Cup 2024?

What is the prize money for the MRC Foundation Cup 2024?

$200,000

Where is the MRC Foundation Cup 2024?

Caulfield Racecourse, Gate 2, Station St, Caulfield East VIC 3145.