The Group 1 Hyland Race Colours Underwood Stakes (1800m) may officially herald the start of the 2012 Spring Racing Carnival on Saturday week at Caulfield, but a race on the support card may be more defining for the world's richest 2400m handicap at the same track four weeks later.Whilst the Naturalism Stakes (2000m) only carries Group 3 status in comparison, the winner will collect a ballot exemption into the $2.5m BMW Caulfield Cup on 20 October thus ensuring the race to secure a Cup start is o

The Group 1 Hyland Race Colours Underwood Stakes (1800m) may officially herald the start of the 2012 Spring Racing Carnival on Saturday week at Caulfield, but a race on the support card may be more defining for the world's richest 2400m handicap at the same track four weeks later.

Whilst the Naturalism Stakes (2000m) only carries Group 3 status in comparison, the winner will collect a ballot exemption into the $2.5m BMW Caulfield Cup on 20 October thus ensuring the race to secure a Cup start is on in earnest.

A total of 116 horses remain in contention for the Caulfield Cup following today's closure of first acceptances and release of the first Order of Entry, but only 18 will gain a start meaning exemption races such as the Naturalism - won last year by subsequent Caulfield Cup favourite December Draw - are pivotal to the chances of many.

Saturday's impressive Flemington winner Zurella (ranked equal 58th), and the Gai Waterhouse-trained trio Glencadam Gold (equal 65th), Julienas (equal 65th) and Strawberry Boy (equal 85th, not passed the ballot) are among some of the Cup nominees being considered for the Naturalism Stakes.

Many trainers will be pondering their next move with the Order of Entry providing a defining pathway to the race.

There are seven ballot exemption races in total between now and the Caulfield Cup. The others are the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m, Moonee Valley, 15 September), Underwood Stakes, Turnbull Stakes (2000m, Flemington, 6 October), David Jones Toorak Handicap (1600m, Caulfield, 13 October), Sportingbet Herbert Power Stakes (2400m, Caulfield, 13 October) and Cathay Pacific Caulfield Stakes (2000m, Caulfield, 13 October).

The two horses already exempt from the ballot in this year's race are 2011 winner Southern Speed (1st) and 2012 Mornington Cup winner Norsqui (2nd), with France's Emirates Melbourne Cup winners Americain (equal 3rd) and Dunaden (equal 3rd) and Australian Cup winner Manighar (5th) rounding out the top five.

Local trainer Peter Moody, who is yet to win the Caulfield Cup, has three runners assured of a start if he desires in the form of Manighar, Voila Ici (equal 9th) and Lights Of Heaven (equal 12th), with Italian import Sneak A Peek (equal 27th) in realistic contention also.

Trainer Robert Hickmott and owner Lloyd Williams are best represented with five horses in the top 26 - Efficient (equal 9th), Midas Touch (equal 15th), Green Moon (equal 20th), Mourayan (equal 20th) and Seville (equal 20th).

Lights Of Heaven and Sydney star Secret Admirer (equal 12th) join Southern Speed as the three mares inside the top 18, with ATC Derby runner-up Polish Knight (equal 15th) and SA Derby winner Zabeelionaire (equal 20th) the best placed four-year-olds.

Amongst the high profile runners who will need luck or winning performances to secure a Cup start are Moudre (equal 37th), Bart Cummings-trained import Illo (equal 37th) and international trio Gatewood (equal 50th), Ibicenco (equal 50th) and Shahwardi (equal 50th),

Amongst those not passed the ballot at present are 2010 Melbourne Cup runner-up Maluckyday (80th), the Cummings-trained Precedence (equal 81st) and last year's sixth placegetter Unusual Suspect (equal 81st).

To pass the ballot and move up the Order of Entry they need to be Group placed or win a Listed race over 1600m or further before final acceptances.

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