Horse Racing

The Group 3 2016 Caulfield Guineas Prelude is a 1400m event held at Melbourne’s Caulfield Racecourse in late September.

Run under set weights plus penalties conditions, the Caulfield Guineas Prelude is open only to three year old colts and geldings. The Caulfield Guineas Prelude is a major lead-up race to the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in October. The Caulfield Guineas Prelude offers $175,000 total prize money. While it is a major lead up event, participation is not requisite for acceptance into the Caulfield Guineas field.

The Caulfield Guineas Prelude is held on Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Day. Four other black type events share the program with the: Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m), the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m), the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) and the Listed Harry White Classic (2400m).

The Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) has in the past acted as a good guide to the Caulfield Guineas Prelude. The Caulfield Guineas Prelude is considered one of the ideal preparatory races for horses taking a number of different spring routes. In the past, horses who have experienced success in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude have gone on to successfully compete in races such as the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m), Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m), the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) and many others. The Caulfield Guineas Prelude is a very important race to watch for form guidance.

The 2016 Caulfield Guineas Prelude will be held on Saturday, September 24.

2016 Caulfield Guineas Prelude Field

The 2016 Caulfield Guineas Prelude field and barriers were released by Racing Victoria on Wednesday September 21 and feature a capacity 16 confirmed starters plus two emergenies including the Kiwi-trained duo of Sacred Elixir and Saracino.

See below for the official Caulfield Guineas Prelude 2016 Final Field & Barrier Draw complete with the current Caulfield Guineas Prelude betting odds provided by Ladbrokes.com.au.

2016 Caulfield Guineas Prelude Nominations

The 2016 Caulfield Guineas Prelude nominations were released on Monday September 19 and feature a 24 three-year-old colts and geldings including JJ Atkins winning New Zealand raider Sacred Elixir and the Team Hawkes-trained Divine Prophet.

Check out the complete 2016 Caulfield Guineas Prelude Nominations now.

Caulfield Guineas Prelude History

Inaugurated in 1985, the Caulfield Guineas Prelude has experience multiple renowned horses throughout its relatively short history.

Originally held over 1200m, the Caulfield Guineas Prelude changed to 1400m from the 1991 edition onwards. A Listed race from 1985 to 2000, the 2001 Caulfield Guineas Prelude ran as a Group 3 event, a status which the race has retained since.

The Caulfield Guineas Prelude has experienced a few name changes over the years. Between 1985 and 1989 the Caulfield Guineas Prelude was named the “Show Day Stakes”. Between 1990 and 1997 the race was referred to as the JD MacDonald Stakes. For two years in 1998 and 1999 the name was shortened to the MacDonald Stakes. Since 2000, the race has been known as the Caulfield Guineas Prelude, or more simply, the Guineas Prelude.

Some of the more notable Caulfield Guineas Prelude winners include Brequillo (1985), Alfa (1996), Elvstroem (2003), Apache Cat (2005) and Epaulette (2012). Caulfield Guineas Prelude results since 2000 are listed below.

Caulfield Guineas Prelude Results