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The 2026 Northwood Plume Stakes ran on Saturday October 10, 2026 as part of Melbourne’s Caulfield Guineas Day program and was won in a stylish 1.5 length victory by the talented Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained Point Barrow ($3.10). 

The Northwood Plume Stakes 2026 is a key early spring feature for mares in Melbourne and a proven launching pad towards some of the carnival’s biggest races. Run at Caulfield Racecourse in mid-October, the Group 3 Northwood Plume Stakes is contested over 1200m under set weights and penalties conditions, attracting a quality field of proven mare sprinters and emerging black-type performers looking to build their spring credentials. With valuable Group status and important prizemoney on offer, the race regularly produces contenders for major mares’ features later in the season, including the Empire Rose Stakes and Champions Mile, and other elite-level spring targets.

As one of the standout support races on the Melbourne spring calendar, the Northwood Plume Stakes has developed a strong reputation for showcasing talented fillies and mares capable of progressing to Group 1 competition. The race’s combination of speed, class and depth makes it a popular target for trainers seeking a black-type victory before tackling tougher assignments throughout the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. Over the years, the honour roll has featured a number of high-quality mares who have gone on to enjoy success at the highest level.

On this page you’ll find everything you need to know about the Northwood Plume Stakes, including the race’s history, conditions, prizemoney, records, past winners, results, betting trends, and the latest updates on the annual running of this popular Caulfield Group 3 race. Whether you’re researching Northwood Plume Stakes winners, looking for Northwood Plume Stakes betting information, or following the spring carnival’s leading mares, this guide has all the key details in one place.

2026 Northwood Plume Stakes Results

Stay tuned for the official 2026 Northwood Plume Stakes results and finishing order this Caulfield Guineas Day.

Winning Time: 1:09.67

Winning Margin: 1.5 lengths

Point Barrow ($3.10) further enhanced her growing reputation as one of the spring’s premier sprint mares with a dominant victory in the 2026 Northwood Plume Stakes results at Caulfield, charging home from the back of the field under Mark Zahra to defeat Naifah by 1½ lengths, with favourite Bridal Waltz a head away in third. The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained daughter of Blue Point produced her trademark explosive finish to score in 1:09.67, registering her seventh win from just 12 starts and her third Group 3 success. Freedman indicated the mare could now be aimed at the Group 1 Champions Sprint (1200m) at Flemington on November 7, while Zahra described her turn of foot as “exhilarating” after another perfectly timed ride. Following the impressive performance, Ladbrokes shortened Point Barrow’s Champions Sprint 2026 odds from $17 into $9, with the progressive four-year-old emerging as a genuine contender for elite-level sprint honours during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

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2026 Northwood Plume Stakes Race Replay

Northwood Plume | Point Barrow

Point Barrow descends on them! That was an awesome win by the Freedman trained mare ?

? Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/HEhdpozFmy
CAULFIELD-ONLY LIVE: https://t.co/ZyYNNgqbuL pic.twitter.com/y4IzjfzLoM

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 10, 2026

2026 Northwood Plume Stakes Odds & Finishing Order

See below for the latest Northwood Plume Stakes 2026 odds followed by the official finishing order after the event this spring.

2026 Northwood Plume Stakes Tips

Stay tuned for our insider Northwood Plume Stakes 2026 Tips on the Caulfield Guineas Day event this spring.

Favourite: No. 7 Bridal Waltz

Each Way Danger: No. 2 Point Barrow

Best Roughie: No. 8 Merrigold

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 which is now known as the Courtza Stakes. Winter Bride (2018) and Point Barrow (2026) are the latest mares 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.

The event takes place as part of the bumper Caulfield Guineas Day program. There are a massive 10 events on the race program including the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas, Group 1 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.

Northwood Plume Stakes 2026
Date:	Saturday October 10, 2026
Track:	Caulfield Racecourse
Distance:	1200m
Race Type:	4YO+ Mares SW+P
Status:	Group 3
Prize Money:	$240,000

2026 Northwood Plume Stakes Betting

The spring’s top Northwood Plume Stakes 2026 betting odds and Group 3 betting market links to Ladbrokes 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.

2026 Northwood Plume Stakes Form

The Northwood Plume Stakes form guide is an essential resource for punters analysing one of Melbourne’s key mares’ sprint races during the early stages of the Spring Racing Carnival. Run over 1200 metres at Caulfield Racecourse, the Group 3 Northwood Plume Stakes attracts a quality field of fillies and mares ranging from emerging black-type performers to established stakes-winning sprinters. The form guide provides detailed insight into each runner’s recent performances, barrier draw, jockey and trainer combinations, track and distance statistics, racing pattern, and current fitness level, helping punters identify the horses best suited to the conditions.

What Punters Should Look for in the Northwood Plume Stakes Form Guide:

• Recent mares’ form – Horses coming through quality fillies and mares races often bring the strongest and most relevant form lines into the Northwood Plume Stakes.
• 1200m credentials – Proven sprinting ability over 1100m to 1200m is a key factor, particularly for mares capable of producing a sharp turn of foot.
• Caulfield form – Previous success at Caulfield can be a significant advantage, especially for runners that handle the track’s unique layout and pressure-packed sprint conditions.
• Black-type performance – Mares with established Group and Listed race form are often among the leading contenders.
• Lead-up races – Form through races such as the How Now Stakes, Alinghi Stakes, Courtza Stakes, and other spring mares’ features can provide valuable betting insight.
• Fitness and preparation – Many Northwood Plume Stakes winners perform well when second-up or third-up as they approach peak fitness.
• Barrier draw – A favourable gate can help runners secure the ideal position, particularly over the short-course sprint trip where early track position is important.
• Track conditions – Some mares are far more effective on firm ground, while others improve significantly on rain-affected tracks.
• Speed map and race tempo – Identifying the likely leaders and understanding the expected tempo can be crucial in assessing whether the race will suit on-speed runners or those charging home late.
• Trainer and jockey records – Leading spring carnival stables and in-form jockeys often enjoy strong results in mares’ sprint races and can provide an extra level of confidence for punters.

FULL 2026 NORTHWOOD PLUME STAKES FORM GUIDE

2026 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 (Courtza) Stakes and How Now Stakes.

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 2026 Northwood Plume Stakes final field will be announced below once released by Racing Victoria on the Wednesday leading-up to the race.

The Northwood Plume Stakes 2026 final field features a quality line-up of mares including the consistent Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained Bridal Waltz coming off three straight second placings and her last start Group 3 How Now Stakes conqueror Point Barrow with a nasty gate to overcome.

2026 Northwood Plume Stakes Nominations

Nominations for the Northwood Plume Stakes in 2026 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), Tofane (2019) and Point Barrow (2026).

Northwood Plume Stakes results since 2005 are below.

Northwood Plume Stakes Final Results

Year	Place	Horse	Time
2026 Northwood Plume Stakes	1st	Point Barrow	1 minute 09.67 seconds
	2nd	Naifah
	3rd	Bridal Waltz
2025 Northwood Plume Stakes	1st	She’s Bulletproof	1 minute 10.24 seconds
	2nd	Gumdrops
	3rd	Vestas
2024 Northwood Plume Stakes	1st	Aviatress	1 minute 09.27 seconds
	2nd	A Little Deep
	3rd	Bizot
2023 Northwood Plume Stakes	1st	She Dances	1 minute 10.41 seconds
	2nd	Rose Quartz
	3rd	La Danseuse Rouge
2022 Northwood Plume Stakes	1st	Literary Magnate	1 minute 10.05 seconds
	2nd	Written Beauty
	3rd	Decent Raine
2021 Northwood Plume Stakes	1st	Dirty Thoughts	1 minute 10.70 seconds
	2nd	La Mexican
	3rd	Nudge
2020 Northwood Plume Stakes	1st	Fiesta	1 minute 9.69 seconds
	2nd	Felicia
	3rd	Broadwayandfourth
2019 Northwood Plume Stakes	1st	Tofane	1 minute 9.09 seconds
	2nd	Manicure
	3rd	Sweet Scandal
2018 Northwood Plume Stakes	1st	Winter Bride	1 minute 9.65 seconds
	2nd	Booker
	3rd	Our Crown Mistress
2017 Northwood Plume Stakes	1st	Cool Passion	1 minute 9.67 seconds
	2nd	Pedrena
	3rd	Princess Of Queens
2016 Northwood Plume Stakes	1st	Sheidel	1 minute 9.0 seconds
	2nd	Silent Sedition
	3rd	A Lotta Love
2015 Northwood Plume Stakes	1st	Politeness	1 minute 9.74 seconds
	2nd	Wawail
	3rd	Bring Me The Maid
2014 Northwood Plume Stakes	1st	Griante	1 minute 9.98 seconds
	2nd	Girl Guide
	3rd	Shamal Wind
2013 Northwood Plume Stakes	1st	Aerobatics	1 minute 10.4 seconds
	2nd	Assertive Eagle
	3rd	Counted
2012 Northwood Plume Stakes	1st	Serene Star	1 minute 9.7 seconds
	2nd	Koonoomoo
	3rd	Miss Marx
2011 Northwood Plume Stakes	1st	Hinemoa	1 minute 9.8 seconds
	2nd	Celts
	3rd	Lady Mahler
2010 Northwood Plume Stakes	1st	Avenue	1 minute 9.2 seconds
	2nd	Red Flair
	3rd	Dorf Command
2009 Northwood Plume Stakes	1st	Our Lona	1 minute 9.4 seconds
	2nd	Tootsie
	3rd	Velocitea
2008 Northwood Plume Stakes	1st	Belong To Many	1 minute 10.7 seconds
	2nd	Bel Mer
	3rd	Hanna Rossa
2007 Northwood Plume Stakes	1st	Storm Signal	1 minute 10.5 seconds
	2nd	Soleil
	3rd	Paris Zero
2006 Northwood Plume Stakes	1st	Personal Ensign	1 minute 9.9 seconds
	2nd	Pasikatera
	3rd	Storm Signal
2005 Northwood Plume Stakes	1st	Crimson Reign	1 minute 10.7 seconds
	2nd	Aqua D’amore
	3rd	Unabated

Northwood Plume Stakes FAQs