*Note: Alandi has been scratched from the 2010 Naturalisim Stakes
Caulfield Racecourse is set to host the next major meeting of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival this Saturday featuring a bumper card of Group races including the $125,000 Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m).
The 2010 Naturalism Stakes is one of the most anticipated races of the season to date as the winner is exempt from ballot for this year’s Caulfield Cup on October 16 and also receives a penalty for the iconic 150th Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Tuesday November 2.
With so much at stake, the 15 horses making up the Naturalism Stakes final field will be out in force making for a very competitive and exhilarating betting market as well!
Twelve of the 15 gallopers accepted for the Naturalism Stakes are also entered for the 2010 Caulfield Cup, including early Cup favourite Moudre.
The Ciaron Maher-trained Moudre will attempt to beat the ballot for the Caulfield Cup on Saturday with a win, but has suffered a blow drawing out wide with barrier 11.
Other Naturalism Stakes runners entered for the Caulfield Cup include Alandi, Valdemoro, Harris Tweed and Mr Charlie.
Our top pick for Saturday is the Peter Moody-trained Mr Charlie who is also at the top of the 2010 Melbourne Cup betting markets.
New Zealand St Leger winner Mr Charlie has drawn ideally with barrier three and after winning his first up Australian start at Flemington a fortnight ago, will be hard to beat.
To read a more detailed 2010 Naturalism Stakes Preview follow the link and then to get in on the betting action visit Sportsbet.
Sportsbet will also have the best odds on the two Group 1 races planned for Saturday, the Underwood Stakes and the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, so join Sportsbet today and enjoy better odds than the TAB!
Final Field & Barrier Draw for 2010 Naturalism Stakes
| # | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight (kg) | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCRATCHED | ALANDI (IRE) | Robert Hickmott | Steven Arnold | 13 | 60 | 118 |
| 2 | CAPECOVER (NZ) | Patrick Payne | Ben Melham | 15 | 56.5 | 106 |
| 3 | HARRIS TWEED (NZ) | Murray & Bjorn Baker | Brad Rawiller | 9 | 56.5 | 107 |
| 4 | MOURAYAN (IRE) | Robert Hickmott | Nicholas Hall | 5 | 56.5 | 107 |
| 5 | STERLING PRINCE (NZ) | Wayne Hillis | Steven King | 7 | 55 | 102 |
| 6 | FANJURA (IRE) | Lee Freedman | Dwayne Dunn | 4 | 54.5 | 101 |
| 7 | MOUDRE | Ciaron Maher | Craig Williams | 11 | 54 | 100 |
| 8 | RAINBOW STYLING (NZ) | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Chris Munce | 2 | 53 | 98 |
| 9 | VALDEMORO | Tony Vasil | Jason Maskiell (a) | 1 | 53 | 98 |
| 10 | APPREHEND | Tony Vasil | Craig Newitt | 8 | 53 | 96 |
| 11 | MR CHARLIE (NZ) | Peter G Moody | Luke Nolen | 3 | 53 | 93 |
| 12 | EXCEPTIONALLY (NZ) | Terry & Karina O’Sullivan | Danny Nikolic | 10 | 53 | 82 |
| 13 | FAIRFIELD FLAME (GER) | Michael Moroney | Glen Boss | 14 | 53 | 82 |
| 14 | TOKEN OF HONOUR | David Hayes | Dean Yendall | 6 | 53 | 80 |
| 15 | ANUDJAWUN (NZ) | Shaun Dwyer | Stephen Baster | 12 | 53 | 68 |
