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The Caulfield Classic is a Group 3 event held at Caulfield Racecourse in late October on Caulfield Cup Day as a lead-up to the VRC Derby.
Caulfield Classic News
The Caulfield Classic – registered as the Norman Robinson Stakes – is a Group 3 event for three-year-old staying types run at Caulfield Racecourse in mid-late October on the same day as the first leg of the Spring Cups double – Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).
2025 Caulfield Classic Results
Stay tuned for the official 2025 Caulfield Classic results and finishing order and to see what 3YOs are VRC Derby bound!
- 1st: No. 3 Autumn Mystery ($4.60)
- 2nd: No. 2 Miewa
- 3rd: No. 6 Amazake
Winning Margin: 0.75 lengths
Winning Time: 2:06.32
Jockey Blake Shinn timed his run to perfection to get the Rory Hunter trained improver Autumn Mystery ($4.60), a last start Flemington winner in easier grade, home by three-quarters of a length in the 2025 Caulfield Classic results. Darting back to the inside the closing stages, the son of The Autumn Sun surged ahead of the pack for a deserving Group 3 win. He has now firmed in from $26 to $7 in all-in VRC Derby betting at Ladbrokes.com.au for November 1.
Caulfield Classic 2025 Results
|
1st
3. Autumn Mystery (2)
J: Blake Shinn 57kg
T: Rory Hunter |
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|
2nd
2. Miewa (7)
J: Jordan Childs 57kg
T: Nick Ryan |
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|
3rd
6. Amazake (4)
J: Andrea Atzeni 57kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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4th
9. Deal Done Fast (3)
J: Daniel Stackhouse 57kg
T: Matt Cumani |
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|
5th
8. Mcwoody (6)
J: Patrick Moloney 57kg
T: Mark Walker |
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6th
7. Arabian Prince (8)
J: Luke Currie 57kg
T: Michael Kent |
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7th
5. Engine Of War (1)
J: Mark Zahra 57kg
T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr |
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|
8th
10. Fabulous Fiano (5)
J: Jamie Mott 57kg
T: Gavin Bedggood |
Run over a testing 2000m, the Caulfield Classic is one of four staying events on the program, making this a great day for staying events. The Caulfield Classic field is comprised strictly of three-year-olds who compete under set weight conditions. For this reason, high quality horses generally rise to the top of the results.
With $240,000 in prize money on offer, the Caulfield Classic draws three-year-olds that could continue onto the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on the first day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Polanski (2013) was the last horse to complete the Caulfield Classic – Victoria Derby double.
More recently in 2019 (the 100th edition of the event) the Caulfield Classic runner-up Warning went on to take out the VRC Derby next start, while in 2020 Hit The Shot ran third in the Caulfield Classic before a second in that year’s Victoria Derby results.
Three-year-olds in the Caulfield Classic field may be backing-up on the quick turnaround after contesting the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) the Saturday prior.
The form out of the 2021 Caulfield Classic was franked with the second placed filly El Patroness going on to win the following autumn’s Group 1 Australian Oaks (2000m).
Teewaters meanwhile ran third in both the 2021 Caulfield Classic and Victoria Derby results that spring.
The 2022 Caulfield Classic form was franked with the winner Mr Maestro finishing fourth in that year’s VRC Derby.
The 2023 Caulfield Classic also produced that year’s Victoria Derby winner with Riff Rocket improving on his second in the Group 3 lead-up to claim the classic. That year’s Caulfield Classic winner Sunsets meanwhile was also good in the Group 1 next start running third in the VRC Derby trifecta.
Riff Rocket returned in the autumn of 2024 to claim the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas – ATC Derby double before sadly passing away that September following post-surgery complications from colic.
The 2024 Caulfield Classic form was franked with the runner-up, China Sea, running third next start in the VRC Derby trifecta. That year’s Caulfield Classic winner Kingofwallstreet also wasn’t far away in the Group 1 placing fourth.
The 2025 Caulfield Classic ran on Saturday October 18, 2025 at Caulfield Racecourse as a lead-up to the VRC Derby on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington and was won in an eye-catching late surge by the improving Autumn Mystery ($4.60).
| Caulfield Classic 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Saturday October 18, 2025 |
| Track: | Caulfield Racecourse |
| Distance: | 2000m |
| Race Type: | 3YOs Set Weights |
| Status: | Group 3 |
| Prize Money: | $240,000 |
2025 Caulfield Classic Betting
The Caulfield Classic 2025 odds will be available at Ladbrokes.com.au the week of the race so you can back your Caulfield Classic Tips in at the best prices this season through Ladbrokes.com.au.
Gunstock ($3.80 in 2021) and Mr Maestro ($1.70 in 2022) are the latest favourites in Caulfield Classic betting to win.
There was a notable upset in 2023 with Sunsets ($26) defeating the odds-on favourite Riff Rocket ($1.28) at big Caulfield Classic odds.
2025 Caulfield Classic Form Guide
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2025 CAULFIELD CLASSIC FORM GUIDE
2025 Caulfield Classic Tips
Stay tuned for our insider Caulfield Classic 2025 Tips this spring.
To Win: No. 3 Autumn Mystery
AUTUMN MYSTERY (2) lines up early on the Caulfield Cup Day card from a perfect gate in a small Caulfield Classic field and appeals to me at the price to win again. The Autumn Sun gelding saluted last time out in easier grade over 1800m at Flemington and presents fit ready to be tested at 2000m for the first time. Saluted very narrowly when defeating Engine Of War at HQ but was enormous the closing stages coming from well back to charge home to win the Derby Preview by a nose. Blake Shinn sticks aboard, and Rory Hunter’s Derby dreamer takes the next step now as a rising improver with upside.
|
1st
3. Autumn Mystery (2)
J: Blake Shinn 57kg
T: Rory Hunter |
2025 Caulfield Classic Field
The 2025 Caulfield Classic field and barrier draw is set for release on the Wednesday leading up to Caulfield Cup Day and will be detailed in full below once announced by Racing Victoria.
The Caulfield Classic 2025 field features a small field of promising Derby hopes led in betting by Nick Ryan’s last start Listed Super Impose runner-up Miewa and the rails-drawn market mover Engine Of War to be ridden by the flying Mark Zahra.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 66×4412 | MIEWA | Nick Ryan | Jordan Childs | 7 | 57kg | 74 | ||
| 3 | 3369×5221 | AUTUMN MYSTERY | Rory Hunter | Blake Shinn | 2 | 57kg | 68 | ||
| 5 | 3×12 | ENGINE OF WAR (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Mark Zahra | 1 | 57kg | 69 | ||
| 6 | 27×67 | AMAZAKE | Ciaron Maher | Andrea Atzeni | 4 | 57kg | 59 | ||
| 7 | 3×5 | ARABIAN PRINCE | Michael Kent | Luke Currie | 9 | 57kg | 65 | ||
| 8 | 1 | MCWOODY | Mark Walker | Patrick Moloney | 6 | 57kg | 63 | ||
| 9 | 24 | DEAL DONE FAST | Matt Cumani | Daniel Stackhouse | 3 | 57kg | 63 | ||
| 10 | 54 | FABULOUS FIANO | Gavin Bedggood | Jamie Mott | 5 | 57kg | 58 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2025 Caulfield Classic Nominations
Nominations on the Caulfield Classic in 2025 close the Monday of race week.
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27×67 | AMAZAKE | G | 3 | Ciaron Maher | 59 |
| 2 | 3×5 | ARABIAN PRINCE | C | 3 | Michael Kent | 65 |
| 3 | 20×23100 | ARCORA | C | 3 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 69 |
| 4 | 3369×5221 | AUTUMN MYSTERY | G | 3 | Rory Hunter | 68 |
| 5 | 7x30x61 | CRACK A DEEL | C | 3 | Henry Dwyer | 62 |
| 6 | 5157 | CROWN OF RUSSIA | C | 3 | Danny O’Brien | 62 |
| 7 | 24 | DEAL DONE FAST | C | 3 | Matt Cumani | 63 |
| 8 | 3×12 | ENGINE OF WAR (NZ) | G | 3 | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | 69 |
| 9 | 54 | FABULOUS FIANO | G | 3 | Gavin Bedggood | 58 |
| 10 | 11×7640 | HIGHVOL | G | 3 | Nick Ryan | 73 |
| 11 | 23×379 | JUST KICK (NZ) | F | 3 | Emma-Lee & David Browne | 64 |
| 12 | 3×510 | KAKKOII | C | 3 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 63 |
| 13 | 2481 | MATSUDA | G | 3 | Ciaron Maher | 63 |
| 14 | 1 | MCWOODY | C | 3 | Mark Walker | 63 |
| 15 | 66×4412 | MIEWA | G | 3 | Nick Ryan | 74 |
| 16 | 1131 | OPTIONS | C | 3 | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | 78 |
| 17 | 5×3100 | SUPER PARADISE | G | 3 | Andrew Forsman | 61 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Caulfield Classic History
Early in 2014, the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) announced that they would be replacing the Norman Robinson Stakes with the Caulfield Classic, a new event that would boast a massive $750,000 prize money with an additional $250,000 to first place if they also won either the Thousand Guineas or the Caulfield Guineas. However, the Caulfield Classic will still share the history of the Norman Robinson Stakes.
Caulfield Classic prize money is currently down to $250,000 for 2020 due to COVID-19 reductions and further reduced in 2021 to $200,000 before a boost to $240,000 in 2025.
When the race was first inaugurated in 1978, it was held over 2000m and ran as a listed race. For 1998 and 1999, the Caulfield Classic ran as a Group 3 event, and then for five years up until the 2005 edition the race held Group 2 status. Since 2005 however, it has remained at Group 3 following a downgrade. It is likely that the new injection of prize money in 2014 will result in the race being upgraded again.
The Caulfield Classic has been known by several other names in the past, including the Norman Robinson Stakes, Wallace Stakes and Steeves Lumley Stakes.
The Caulfield Classic is a good lead-up event to the Victoria Derby.
Notable Caulfield Classic winners include Nothin’ Leica Dame (1995), King Delamere (1983), Hvasstan (2012), Polanski (2013), and Cliff’s Edge (2017).
Caulfield Classic results since 2000 are below.
Caulfield Classic Results
| Year | Place | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Caulfield Classic | 1st | Autumn Mystery | 2 minutes 6.32 seconds |
| 2nd | Miewa | ||
| 3rd | Amazake | ||
| 2024 Caulfield Classic | 1st | Kingofwallstreet | 2 minutes 9.89 seconds |
| 2nd | China Sea | ||
| 3rd | Keeneland | ||
| 2023 Caulfield Classic | 1st | Sunsets | 2 minutes 5.50 seconds |
| 2nd | Riff Rocket | ||
| 3rd | Gates | ||
| 2022 Caulfield Classic | 1st | Mr Maestro | 2 minutes 6.89 seconds |
| 2nd | Muramasa | ||
| 3rd | Distrustful Award | ||
| 2021 Caulfield Classic | 1st | Gunstock | 2 minutes 05.52 seconds |
| 2nd | El Patroness | ||
| 3rd | Teewaters | ||
| 2020 Caulfield Classic | 1st | Albarado | 2 minutes 7.94 seconds |
| 2nd | Let’s Karaka Deel | ||
| 3rd | Hit The Shot | ||
| 2019 Caulfield Classic | 1st | Thought Of That | 2 minutes 2.88 seconds |
| 2nd | Warning | ||
| 3rd | Brilliant Venture | ||
| 2018 Caulfield Classic | 1st | Thinkin’ Big | 2 minutes 6.79 seconds |
| 2nd | Chapada | ||
| 3rd | Sikorsky | ||
| 2017 Caulfield Classic | 1st | Cliff’s Edge | 2 minutes 2.48 seconds |
| 2nd | Tangled | ||
| 3rd | Main Stage | ||
| 2016 Caulfield Classic | 1st | Good Standing | 2 minutres 4.3 seconds |
| 2nd | Rocketeer | ||
| 3rd | Inference | ||
| 2015 Caulfield Classic | 1st | Sacred Eye | 2 minutres 3.20 seconds |
| 2nd | Lizard Island | ||
| 3rd | Etymology | ||
| 2014 Caulfield Classic | 1st | Fontein Ruby | 2 minutes 3.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Crafty | ||
| 3rd | Firehouse Rock | ||
| 2013 Caulfield Classic | 1st | Polanski | 2 minutes 02.5 seconds |
| 2nd | San Diego | ||
| 3rd | Epic Saga | ||
| 2012 Caulfield Classic | 1st | Hvasstan | 2 minute 03.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Honorius | ||
| 3rd | Electric Fusion | ||
| 2011 Caulfield Classic | 1st | Sabrage | 2 minutes 03.0 seconds |
| 2nd | Sangster | ||
| 3rd | Niagara | ||
| 2010 Caulfield Classic | 1st | Retrieve | 2 minutes 08.3 seconds |
| 2nd | Almindoro | ||
| 3rd | Digital Fortress | ||
| 2009 Caulfield Classic | 1st | Shamoline Warrior | 2 minutes 03.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Onemorenomore | ||
| 3rd | Gathering | ||
| 2008 Caulfield Classic | 1st | Pre Eminence | 2 minutes 04.3 seconds |
| 2nd | Miss Scarlatti | ||
| 3rd | Paddy O’Reilly | ||
| 2007 Caulfield Classic | 1st | Pillar Of Hercules | 2 minutes 04.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Down Under Boy | ||
| 3rd | Villian | ||
| 2006 Caulfield Classic | 1st | Get Square | 2 minutes 03.6 seconds |
| 2nd | Ulfah | ||
| 3rd | Sir Lago | ||
| 2005 Caulfield Classic | 1st | Pendragon | 2 minutes 03.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Headturner | ||
| 3rd | Replicator | ||
| 2004 Caulfield Classic | 1st | Cedar Manor | 2 minutes 04.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Court Ricardo | ||
| 3rd | King Durham | ||
| 2003 Caulfield Classic | 1st | Casual Pass | 2 minutes 04.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Our Court | ||
| 3rd | Face Value | ||
| 2002 Caulfield Classic | 1st | Platinum Scissors | 2 minutes 02.3 seconds |
| 2nd | Hydrometer | ||
| 3rd | Aint Here | ||
| 2001 Caulfield Classic | 1st | Amalfi | 2 minutes 05.3 seconds |
| 2nd | Grey Song | ||
| 3rd | Tully Zeal | ||
| 2000 Caulfield Classic | 1st | Royale Exit | 2 minutes 01.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Hit The Roof | ||
| 3rd | Adolescence | ||
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