Caulfield Classic Race Information

The Caulfield Classic is a 2000 metre set weights plus penalties race for three-year-olds run by the Melbourne Racing Club in October. It is held at Caulfield as part of the Caulfield Cup Carnival.

  • Race Type: Group 3
  • Distance: 2000 metres
  • Conditions: Set weights plus penalties, 3YOs
  • Track: Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne, Victoria
  • Prizemoney: $200,000
  • Date: Saturday 21 October 2023

Caulfield Classic Race History

See the 2023 Caulfield Classic Preview and results

See the 2022 Caulfield Classic Preview and results

See the 2020 Caulfield Classic Preview and results

The race was first run in 1971 as the Wallace Stakes over one and a quarter miles (about 2000m) and was won by a horse called Haarle. It was a Listed race from 1978 to 1997  and was renamed the Norman Robinson Stakes in 1979. In 1998 it was upgraded to a Group 3 race and then was upgraded again to a Group 2 race from 2000 to 2004 before returning to its current Group 3 status in 2015. It has been known as the Caulfield Classic since 2014 and is often used as a test or lead-up to longer staying races for three-year-olds. Those who handle it well often go on to contest the Victoria Derby two weeks later.

Useful Facts

Last filly to win: Sacred Eye (2015)

Fastest time (2000m): Lady Purpose (1991) 2:00:1

Caulfield Classic  & Victoria Derby: Polanski (2013); Amalfi (2001); Nothin’ Leica Dane (1995); Omnicorp (1987); Unaware (1976).

Interesting trivia: 1995 winner Nothin’ Leica Dane went on to win the Victoria Derby then finished 2nd to Doriemus in the 1995 Melbourne Cup. In 1981 Venus And Mars was first past the post but lost on protest to Lordship.

Past winners of the Caulfield Classic

Winners of past Caulfield Classics include Thought Of That (2019), Polanski (2013), Retrieve (2010), Shamoline Warrior (2009), Pendragon (2005), Casual Pass (2003),  Amalfi (2001), Blackfriars (1999), Nothin’ Leica Dane (1995), Omnicorp (1987), Born To Be Queen (1985), Unaware (1976) and Lord Metric (1973).

Year Winner Second Third
2023 Sunsets Riff Rocket Gates
2022 Mr Maestro Muramasa Distrustful Award
2021 Gunstock El Patroness Teewaters
2020 Albarado Let’s Karaka Deel Hit the Shot
2019 Thought Of That Warning Brilliant Venture
2018 Thinkin’ Big Chapada Sikorsky
2017 Cliff’s Edge Tangled Main Stage
2016 Good Standing Rocketeer Inference