Jake Stephens had a good reason to raise a smile at Caulfield on Saturday after Gris Caro won the Naturalism; he is now fully qualified to run in the Caulfield Cup and did not receive a penalty.

Weights for the Cup will be raised 2 ks, which would ensure the Japanese visitor, Admire Ratki, will carry the number one saddle cloth.

Stephens is no stranger to the Caulfield Cup; he almost had his hands on the trophy two years ago with Acopop, until Dunaden came along and spoilt the party.

Gris Caro’s pedigree is of interest, he is a six year old grey entire foaled in Great Britain, his sire, With Approval, is Canadian bred, his dam, Aviane, came out of Germany, and his grand dam was Irish bred.

Gris Caro winning the Naturalism Stakes

 There was another point of interest, of the 11 runners in the race there were only two Australian bred horses in the field.

Gris Caro is trained at Victor Harbour in South Australia; he is a lightly raced horse having just 16 starts for six wins and six placings.

The favourite, Spillway, was caught up in a traffic jam for much of the race, when he ultimately got clear he never offered much.

He may go to Sydney for the Metropolitan Handicap, a win would ensure him a start in the Caulfield Cup. 

Jake Stephens with Caulfield Cup hope Gris Caro