Moonga Stakes 2023 Race Details
Race 8 at Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday the 21st October 2023.
The Moonga Stakes is a Group 3 race held at Caulfield racecourse over 1400m. It is for three-year-old fillies and is run under set weights plus penalties conditions. The total prizemoney this year is $200,000.
You can read more about the race history, lead-up races, and past winners on the Moonga Stakes page.
Moonga Stakes 2023 Preview
Track: Good Weather: Fine
Following the early scratchings of Cuban Royale and Altivo, 9 runners remain for the 2023 Moonga Stakes. There are 6 geldings and 3 mares with six 4YOs, one 5YO and two 7YOs. Two runners had their last start in the Listed Paris Lane Stakes over 1400m at Flemington on 7th October and two in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes over 1200m at Flemington on 7th October while the rest came via different races. Ciaron Maher & David Eustace have 2 runners.
The early favourite is Nunthorpe who is looking for a hat-trick after winning 2 in a row over 1400m at Caulfield. The second favourite is Buffalo River who was a length 4th in the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes last week. Third favourite is Times Square who resumes from a 28 week spell and has won twice first-up. All other runners are currently $8 or longer.
Moonga Stakes 2023 Runner by Runner
1. Mr Maestro (2)
Resumes from a 33 week spell and usually needs his first-up start. Unlikely.
2. The Fortune Teller (6)
One of 2 runners for Ciaron Maher & David Eustace (the other is Times Square). Finished 4th in the Listed Paris Lane Stakes over 1400m at Flemington on 7th October. Could place.
3. Buffalo River (5)
Was a length 4th in the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes last week after winning the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes the start before. Should make his presence felt.
4. Cuban Royale (11) – SCRATCHED
5. Umgawa (1)
Third in the Paris Lane and has been placed in 4 of his last 5 starts. Don’t dismiss.
6. Fender (7)
Ran 6 lengths 8th in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes over 1200m at Flemington on 7th October. Unplaced in all 4 runs this preparation. Prefer others.
7. Cause For Concern (8)
Finished 4th in the Gilgai after being slowly away. Not the worst.
8. Altivo (9) – SCRATCHED
9. Times Square (3)
Resumes from a 28 week spell and has won twice first-up. Watch the market.
10. Nunthorpe (10)
Looking for a hat-trick after winning 2 in a row over 1400m at Caulfield. Drops 2kg from last week and should be hard to beat.
11. Climbing Star (4)
She was luckless last start and looked to have more to offer. Should run well.
Moonga Stakes 2023 Tips
The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.
| Jo Jackson’s Tips | Lewis Oliver’s Tips | |
| 10 Nunthorpe | 3 Buffalo River | |
| 3 Buffalo River | 7 Cause For Concern | |
| 10 Nunthorpe | ||
| 11 Climbing Star | 2 The Fortune Teller |
Previews for other races this week
Group 1 Caulfield Cup 2023 (Caulfield 2400m)
Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude 2023 (Caulfield 1400m)
Group 2 Caulfield Sprint 2023 (Caulfield 1000m)
Group 2 Tristarc Stakes 2023 (Caulfield 1400m)
Group 3 Caulfield Classic 2023 (Caulfield 2000m)
Group 3 Ethereal Stakes 2023 (Caulfield 2000m)
Listed Alinghi Stakes 2023 (Caulfield 1100m)
Listed Gothic Stakes 2023 (Caulfield 1400m)
Five Diamonds Prelude 2023 (Randwick 1500m)
Group 3 Eurythmic Stakes 2023 (Ascot 1400m)
Listed R.S. Crawford Stakes 2023 (Ascot 1000m)
Listed Seymour Cup 2023 (Seymour 1600m) – Sunday
Moonga Stakes 2023 Race Results
| Result | Horse | Margin |
| 1st | 3 Buffalo River | |
| 2nd | 11 Climbing Star | 1.25 lengths |
| 3rd | 7 Cause For Concern | 1.65 lengths |
| 4th | 6 Fender | 2.05 lengths |
The track was rated as Good 4.
Scratchings: 4. Cuban Royale, 5. Umgawa, . Altivo, 9. Times Square.