A Caulfield Cup 2017 ballot exemption is on offer this weekend in Melbourne to the winner of Saturday’s Naturalism Stakes, updated betting odds on the Caulfield Group 3 found below.

There are 16 confirmed stayers for Caulfield Race 7 at 3:35pm (AEST) when the 2017 Naturalism Stakes runs as the Group 3 $150,000 Bendigo Bank East Malvern MRC Foundation Cup (2000m).

The event was won by subsequent Caulfield Cup winner Jameka last Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, and the Group 1 $3 million BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 21 is a big spring aim for the bulk of Saturday’s hopefuls.

Favourite to win the Caulfield Cup ballot exemption with a Naturalism Stakes win currently at $4.80 through Ladbrokes.com.au is the in-form Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Stampede.

The High Chaparral entire has won his last three starts including a mile handicap at Moonee Valley first-up by over two lengths on September 9.

His winter saw Stampede win the Listed Wagga Cup (2000m) before a trip to Brisbane for success in the Group 3 BRC Chairman’s Handicap (2000m) in mid-May.

Coming back a kilo to 58kg this weekend, Stampede has apprentice Beau Mertens retaining the ride and he is tipped to continue his excellent form over the Naturalism Stakes distance (3-2-0-0).

Four other runners in the capacity Naturalism Stakes field are also under $10 for the win including the early market mover Abbey Marie ($6.50 into $6).

Drawn ideally in barrier four with Luke Nolen to ride, Michael Kent’s 2016 Schweppes Oaks winner caught the eye a fortnight ago at Moonee Valley when only a quarter-length second to Bonneval in the Group 2 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1800m).

With the Group 1 form as a filly over 2000m, the now five-year-old daughter of Redoute’s Choice finally looks back on track after a host of setbacks.

She remains very lightly-raced with just the nine starts to date and coming back from 57kg to 55.5kg from barrier four, the mare can get back and close late.

The bookies are also taking no chances with another mare in the mix, the Darren Weir-trained Amelie’s Star ($7) who has a wide alley (14 of 16) but plenty of time to overcome the gate.

Damian Lane retains the ride on the six-year-old daughter of Testa Rossa who is out to atone for her ninth at Flemington over 1700m last Saturday.

She drops back from a hefty 58.5kg that run to 56kg on the quick back-up into the Naturalism Stakes chasing her first victory since the Group 2 Queen Of The South Stakes (1600m) in Adelaide back in May.

Last weekend’s run was better than it looks on paper from Amelie’s Star who was only two and a half-lengths off the winner Hardham and gets the chance to atone here.

The other single-figure hopes at $9 each are Big Duke, also prepared by record-breaking Victorian horseman Weir, and 54kg lightweight Samovare ($9).

Big Duke (58.5kg) has had a kilo more on his back or his two runs this time in, the latest seeing him run fifth to Stampede over the mile.

His form over 2000m is solid (3-2-1-0) and the Sydney Cup third placegetter will enjoy the extra distance this weekend.

Lindsay Park’s Savabeel mare Samovare meanwhile won at Moonee Valley with four kilos more (58kg) on Dato’ Day and shapes-up as a place chance.

Check out the full Naturalism Stakes 2017 betting odds below, prices open now at Ladbrokes.com.au.

2017 Naturalism Stakes Odds