The Northwood Plume Stakes is a Group 3 sprint held at Caulfield Racecourse in mid-October each spring.

The race is a key follow-up race for mares out of earlier spring races including the Group 3 How Now Stakes and the Group 3 Cockram Stakes. Winter Bride (2018) was the last mare to do the How Now Stakes / Northwood Plume Stakes double.

In 2024 Aviatress improved on a Cockram Stakes 4th to win the Northwood Plume in an upset by a big margin.

Raced over 1200m, the Northwood Plume Stakes race is held under set weights plus penalties conditions, which tends to ensure the stronger and more experienced mares run better. Worth $200,000, the event takes place as part of the bumper Caulfield Guineas Day program.

There is a massive 10 black-type events on the race program including the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas, Group 1 Caulfield Might And Power Stakes, Group 1 Toorak Handicap, Group 2 Schillaci Stakes, Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes and Group 3 Ladies’ Day Vase.

The How Now Stakes and the Cockram Stakes are the obvious lead-up events, while the Group 3 Sheraco Stakes acts as another potential warm-up.

Following a run in the Northwood Plume Stakes, the better mares tend to step things up and target more prestigious events. The Group 2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m), while longer in distance, is often considered the next viable target for top performing mares the following weekend on Caulfield Cup Day.

In 2017 the Northwood Plume Stakes winner Cool Passion ran a next-up second in the Tristarc Stakes. The year before, Sheidel won the Northwood Plume Stakes before going to Perth for a Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes second. She also won the following autumn’s Group 1 Oakleigh Plate.

Flemington’s Group 3 Begonia Belle Stakes (1100m) held down the straight on VRC Derby Day is another potential next-up option and Tofane (2019) followed by Fiesta (2020) are the latest mares to win the Northwood Plume – Begonia Belle Stakes double. Tofane also went on to win the following year’s Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) in Sydney over the autumn.

The 2021 Northwood Plume Stakes form was franked with the third place-getter Nudge going on to run second in that year’s $1 million The Gong at Kembla Grange.

The 2023 Northwood Plume Stakes form was franked with the runner-up Rose Quartz going on to salute in that year’s How Now Stakes before a $1 million Magic Millions Sprint third in January of 2024.

The 2024 Northwood Plume Stakes ran on Saturday October 12, 2024 as part of Melbourne’s Caulfield Guineas Day program and was won in an impressive runaway performance by the Richard & Chantelle Jolly-trained Smart Missile four-year-old Aviatress ($6).

2024 Northwood Plume Stakes Results

• 1st: #13 Aviatress ($6)
• 2nd: #6 A Little Deep
• 3rd: #15 Bizot

Winning Time: 1 minute 09.27 seconds

Winning Margin: 2.75 lengths

2024 Northwood Plume Stakes Betting

The spring’s top Northwood Plume Stakes 2024 betting odds and Group 3 betting market links to Ladbrokes.com.au on the Caulfield Guineas Day event will be provided here at Races.com.au for punters the week of the race.

There was a notable upset in 2022 with Literary Magnate saluting at Northwood Plume Stakes odds of $15.

2024 Northwood Plume Stakes Form

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2024 NORTHWOOD PLUME STAKES FORM GUIDE

2024 Northwood Plume Stakes Tips

Stay tuned for our insider Northwood Plume Stakes 2024 Tips on the Caulfield Guineas Day event this spring.

• To Win: #6 A Little Deep ($3.80 at time of publish) – BET NOW

Looking at the lead-up runs of the mares in the Northwood and A Little Deep shapes-up as the one to beat. Markets reflect that with the Ciaron Maher-trained daughter of Deep Field the favourite but still at a backable price. She gets things her way from barrier two with Mark Zahra in the saddle chasing her third win from four starts this prep. Recently went back-to-back including a Listed Chautauqua Stakes win, the form of which looks strong. Placing last start when runner-up at the track and trip. Can go one better and return to winning form.

2024 Northwood Plume Stakes Final Field

The Northwood Plume Stakes final field usually features a range of mares coming off traditional lead-up runs in the Cockram Stakes and How Now Stakes. Politeness (2015) followed by Winter Bride (2018) were the last mares to complete the How Now Stakes – Northwood Plume Stakes double.

Mares may continue onto tougher spring – summer sprints as was the case in 2016 when the winner Sheidel finished runner-up that November in Perth’s Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m). She also returned the following autumn and won Caulfield’s Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1000m). That year’s runner-up Silent Sedition also enjoyed elite level success the following autumn winning the 2017 William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley.

The 2024 Northwood Plume Stakes final field will be announced below once released by Racing Victoria on the Wednesday leading-up to the race.

2024 Northwood Plume Stakes Nominations

Nominations for the Northwood Plume Stakes in 2024 are taken the Monday of race week.

Northwood Plume Stakes History

Named after 1994 Thousand Guineas winner Northwood Plume, the Northwood Plume Stakes came about at a crucial time in Australian racing. Providing a much sought-after additional race for older mares, the Northwood Plume Stakes was an instant hit.

Although it has only existed in its current format for a short time, the Northwood Plume Stakes rapidly rose in prestige and importance. This was recognised in 2013 when the race was upgraded to Group 3 status. The Northwood Plume Stakes has been held at Caulfield Racecourse since 2007.

In the past this race has been known as the Le Tan Stakes and the Carlton Draught Northwood Plume Stakes.

Some of the notable winners of the Northwood Plume Stakes include Storm Signal (2007), Avenue (2010), Aerobatics (2013), Sheidel (2016), and Tofane (2019).

Northwood Plume Stakes results since 2005 are below.

Northwood Plume Stakes Final Results