The Caulfield Classic, raced as the Neds Classic due to sponsorship and registered as the Norman Robinson Stakes, is a Melbourne Racing Club Group 3 Thoroughbred horse race held under set weights conditions, for horses three years old, run over a distance of 2000 metres. It is held at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia on Caulfield Cup day in October.[1] Prizemoney is A$200,000.

Neds Classic
registered as the Norman Robinson Stakes
Group 3 race
LocationCaulfield Racecourse
Inaugurated1971 (as Wallace Stakes)
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
SponsorNeds (2023)
Websitewww.melbourneracingclub.net.au
Race information
Distance2,000 metres
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds
WeightSet weights
colts and geldings – 57 kg
fillies 55 kg
Purse$200,000 (2023)

History

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The race was run as a handicap until 1990, now run under set weight conditions. Originally the race was scheduled on the second day of the VATC Spring carnival.[2] The registered name of the race is named after the former VATC Chairman Norman Robinson who was elected to that position in 1942.[3] The MRC increased the prizemoney in 2014 to A$750,000 with a $250,000 bonus to the winner of the Caulfield Guineas or Thousand Guineas if they are able to win both events.[4] In 2015, the prizemoney was reduced to $500,000. The event is considered a strong preparatory race for the Victoria Derby.[1]

Grade

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  • 1978 - Listed race
  • 1978 - Special race
  • 1980–1997 - Listed Race
  • 1998–1999 - Group 3
  • 2000–2004 - Group 2
  • 2005 onwards - Group 3

Name

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  • 1971–1978 - Wallace Stakes[5]
  • 1979–1988 - Norman Robinson Stakes
  • 1989 - Steeves Lumley Stakes
  • 1990–2013 - Norman Robinson Stakes
  • 2014–2015 - Caulfield Classic
  • 2016 onwards - Ladbrokes Classic

Distance

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The race has been run over 2000 metres with exceptions of:

  • 1971 - 114 miles (~2000 metres)[5]
  • 1979 – 1984 metres[2]
  • 2003 – 2020 metres[6]

Double winners

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Thoroughbreds that have won the Norman Robinson Stakes – Victoria Derby double:

  • Nothin’ Leica Dane (1995), Blackfriars (1999), Amalfi (2001), Polanski (2013)

Winners

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  • 2023 - Sunsets[7]
  • 2022 - Mr Maestro[8]
  • 2021 - Gunstock[9]
  • 2020 - Albarado[10]
  • 2019 - Thought Of That[11]
  • 2018 - Thinkin’ Big[12]
  • 2017 - Cliff's Edge[13]
  • 2016 - Good Standing[14]
  • 2015 - Sacred Eye[15]
  • 2014 - Fontein Ruby[16]
  • 2013 - Polanski[17]
  • 2012 - Hvasstan[18]
  • 2011 - Sabrage[19]
  • 2010 - Retrieve[20]
  • 2009 - Shamoline Warrior[21]
  • 2008 - Pre Eminence[22]
  • 2007 - Pillar Of Hercules[23]
  • 2006 - Get Square[24]
  • 2005 - Pendragon[25]
  • 2004 - Cedar Manor[26]
  • 2003 - Casual Pass[6]
  • 2002 - Platinum Scissors[27]
  • 2001 - Amalfi[28]
  • 2000 - Royale Exit[29]
  • 1999 - Blackfriars[30]
  • 1998 - Lawyer[31]
  • 1997 - Brave Prince
  • 1996 - Mustang Ranch
  • 1995 - Nothin’ Leica Dane
  • 1994 - Punctual
  • 1993 - Battle Hawk
  • 1992 - River Hero
  • 1991 - Lady Purpose
  • 1990 - Big Dermott
  • 1989 - Counterfeit
  • 1988 - Panneria
  • 1987 - Omnicorp
  • 1986 - Dundas Lane
  • 1985 - Born To Be Queen
  • 1984 - Gold Deck
  • 1983 - King Delamere
  • 1982 - Brightman
  • 1981 - Lordship
  • 1980 - Bright Halo
  • 1979 - Attack[2]
  • 1978 - Society Beau

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Winners and Past Results for the Norman Robinson Stakes". Progroupracing.com (Aus). 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  2. ^ a b c "Caulfield (Race Results from 17 October 1979)". The Age. Google News. 18 October 1979. p. 37. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  3. ^ "New Chairman of VATC Mr Norman Robinson". The Argus. 23 June 1942. p. 6. Retrieved 12 October 2014 – via Trove.
  4. ^ "The 2014 Caulfield Classic". australianracingreport.com (Aus). 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  5. ^ a b "Caulfield Results (Race Results from 13 October 1971)". The Age. Google News. 14 October 1971. p. 29. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  6. ^ a b "2003 Result – Norman Robinson Stks (held 18 October 2003)". breednet.com. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  7. ^ "2023 Result – Neds Classic (held 21 October 2023)". racingpost.com. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  8. ^ "2022 Result – Neds Classic (held 15 October 2022)". racingpost.com. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  9. ^ "2021 Result – Neds Classic (held 16 October 2021)". breednet.com. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  10. ^ "2020 Result – Neds Classic (held 17 October 2020)". breednet.com. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  11. ^ "2019 Result – Ladbrokes Classic (held 19 October 2019)". breednet.com. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  12. ^ "2018 Result – Ladbrokes Classic (held 20 October 2018)". breednet.com. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  13. ^ "2017 Result – Ladbrokes Classic (held 21 October 2017)". breednet.com. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  14. ^ "2016 Result – Ladbrokes Classic (held 15 October 2016)". breednet.com. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  15. ^ "2015 Result – Ladbrokes Caulfield Classic (held 17 October 2015)". breednet.com. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  16. ^ "2014 Result – Racing.Com Caulfield Classic (held 18 October 2014)". breednet.com. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  17. ^ "2013 Result – Jacob Pk Norman Robinson Stks (held 19 October 2013)". breednet.com. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  18. ^ "2012 Result – Norman Robinson Stakes (held 20 October 2012)". breednet.com. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  19. ^ "2011 Result – Nab Norman Robinson Stakes (held 15 October 2011)". breednet.com. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  20. ^ "2010 Result – A A M I Norman Robinson Stakes (held 16 October 2010)". breednet.com. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  21. ^ "2009 Result – A A M I Norman Robinson Stakes (held 17 October 2009)". breednet.com. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  22. ^ "2008 Result – Norman Robinson Stakes (held 18 October 2008)". breednet.com. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  23. ^ "2007 Result – Norman Robinson Stakes (held 20 October 2007)". breednet.com. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  24. ^ "2006 Result – A A M I - Norman Robinson Stks (held 21 October 2006)". breednet.com. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  25. ^ "2005 Result – Norman Robinson Stks (held 15 October 2005)". breednet.com. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  26. ^ "2004 Result – Norman Robinson Stks (held 16 October 2004)". breednet.com. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  27. ^ "2002 Result – Norman Robinson Stks (held 19 October 2002)". breednet.com. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  28. ^ "2001 Result – Norman Robinson Stks (held 20 October 2001)". breednet.com. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  29. ^ "2000 Result – Norman Robinson Stks (held 21 October 2000)". breednet.com. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  30. ^ "1999 Result – Norman Robinson Stks (held 16 October 1999)". breednet.com. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  31. ^ "1998 Result – Norman Robinson Stks (held 17 October 1998)". breednet.com. Retrieved 11 October 2015.