2023 MRC Foundation Cup winner Uncle Bryn has qualified for the $5 million Caulfield Cup on October 21. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Group 1 $5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 21 is calling for the progressive Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young-trained stayer Uncle Bryn who punched his ticket for the classic with an upset win in Saturday’s 2023 MRC Foundation Cup results.

The Group 3 $200,000 MRC Foundation Cup (2000m) – also known as the Naturalism Stakes – offers a ballot exemption into the Caulfield Cup field to the winner which was secured by British-bred Sea The Stars gelding Uncle Bryn this Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.

The six-year-old was second in the race last year but atoned going one better in 2023 improving on his recent below-par form to run out of his skin for a big 2.25 length victory under the guidance of John Allen.

Uncle Bryn ran a first-up eighth behind the form horse of the spring Mr Brightside in the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) before crossing a well-beaten 11th behind Soulcombe in the Listed Heatherlie Handicap (1700m) last time out.

Third-up and fit the galloper relished the extra metres of the MRC Foundation Cup showing his talent today with the stylish win by a comprehensive margin to earn a Group 1 target next start.

Uncle Bryn was ridden more aggressively by Allen today, the horse getting a soft run in transit and was far too good late streaking away in a dominant finish to destroy his rivals in a near race record time of 2 minutes 0.74 seconds.

The beaten Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained favourite Floating Artist ($2.80F) copped a bump on the turn but was held together by Mark Zahra to run second.

Third went to the emergency runner Alaskan God who was also brave in defeat.

Busuttin & Young now look to have a handy Caulfield Cup contender on their hands with Uncle Bryn getting into the mile-and-a-half feature with just 51kg and now fully qualified with his slashing Group 3 victory in slick time.

“The horse, we thought he’s been going alright,” co-trainer Busuttin told Racing.com after the win.

“We kept on saying he’s a good horse. He got beat in this race last year but he’s got a spot in the Caulfield Cup now.

“He’s got no weight, he won that good and onwards and upwards.

“It’s just good to see him back in form.

“He’s bounced back today so we’re obviously pretty happy.”

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

Updated all-in Caulfield Cup odds online at Ladbrokes.com.au have Uncle Bryn into $31 to be the next and are available in full by clicking here.

2023 MRC Foundation Cup Results & Finishing Order

Table Credit: Racing Australia.