The VATC Caulfield Stakes is now a Melbourne Racing Club Australian Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race run under weight-for-age conditions, for three-year-olds and upwards, at Caulfield Racecourse. The race was previously known as the Caulfield Stakes but since 1997 it has been referred to as the Yalumba Stakes. It is now run over 2,000 metres and is held annually in October on Caulfield Guineas day, the first day of the Caulfield Carnival. In isolation, the Yalumba Stakes is not an important spring target for elite gallopers; it's prizemoney of $400,000 reflects this. However, as the Yalumba is held under roughly the same conditions in regards to distance and WFA as the G1 $3m WS Cox Plate, held a fortnight after the Yalumba, many Cox Plate contenders will use this race as their final hit out. As a result, elite gallopers are littered through the Yalumba winners roll - Rising Fast, Kingston Town, Bonecrusher, Might and Power, and Northerly all won this race before winning the Cox Plate at their next start. Wikipedia [ - ]

The VATC Caulfield Stakes is now a Melbourne Racing Club Australian Group 1 Thoroughbred horse... [ + ]