Melbourne Spring Carnival
The 2010 Melbourne spring racing carnival is the highlight of the racing year in Australia between the months of September and November and reaches its crescendo on the first Tuesday in November with the running of our most famous race the $6,175,000 Melbourne Cup at Flemington.
Three races headline spring racing in Melbourne and they are the $6,175,000 Melbourne Cup at Flemington, the $2,500,000 Caulfield Cup at Caulfield and the $3,000,000 WS Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.
Racing at Flemington racecourse is administered by the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) which is home to the 2010 Melbourne Cup Carnival in early November, while the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) conducts racing at both Caulfield and Sandown racecourses with their major three day carnival taking place in October with Caulfield Cup Day.
The Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC) looks after racing at Moonee Valley racecourse which is home to Australia’s greatest weight-for-age race the WS Cox Plate in late October.
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Visit our 2010 Melbourne spring racing carnival post for all spring feature race dates at a glance and click on any race name below to get a full preview courtesy of Australia’s number one racing website Horse Racing Info. Last year’s group race winners are in brackets after the race name.
July group races in Melbourne
Bletchingly Stakes Day, Caulfield racecourse (31st)
The new racing season begins on Sunday August 1st therefore Caulfield will host the traditional first group race of the spring with the $125,000 Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m WFA Let Go Thommo) on Saturday 31st July and will effectively be held twice in the 2009/2010 racing season.
August group races in Melbourne
Aurie’s Star handicap, Flemington racecourse (7th)
The first offical group race of the new racing season in Melbourne is the newly elevated $150,000 Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m Hcp Mic Mac) which was previously a listed race but upgraded for the 2010-2011 racing season to become a Group 3 event.The race traditionally attracts good gallopers returning from a spell and heading for a sprinting campaign during the Melbourne spring racing carnival in coming months.
JJ Liston Stakes Day, Caulfield racecourse (14th)
One week later the $200,000 Group 2 JJ Liston Stakes (1400m WFA Predatory Pricer) is held and usually attracts returning stars of the turf, while the supporting act is the $100,000 Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m SW+P Cats Whisker) for Mares.Memsie Stakes Day, Caulfield racecourse (28th)
Two weeks after the Liston sees the running of the $200,000 Group 2 Memsie Stakes (1400m WFA Mic Mac) and better class gallopers will be looking at this event while three-year-olds can tackle the $125,000 Group 3 H.D.F. McNeil Stakes (1200m SW+P Starspangledbanner), the race that launched a great spring for star sprinter Starspangledbanner in 2009.
September group races in Melbourne
Makybe Diva Stakes Day, Flemington racecourse (4th)
One week later the $400,000 Group 2 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m WFA Vigor) takes centre stage and always assembles a field of class animals.Also on the card is the $250,000 Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m SW+P Black Caviar) a good quality race for 3yo gallopers, the $200,000 Group 2 Lets Elope Stakes (1400m SW+P Cats Whiskers) for mares and the $200,000 Group 3 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m Swift Alliance) for sprinters down the straight.
Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes – Moonee Valley racecourse (11th)
The bigger races come to the fore in early September and the $500,000 Group 2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m WFA Whobegotyou) has grown to become a pivotal race of the spring for potential spring candidates.Other races on the program include the $200,000 Group 2 WH Stocks Stakes (1600m WFA Zarita) for the better Mares and the $200,000 Group 3 McEwen Stakes (1000m WFA Nicconi) which always attracts quality types.
Underwood Stakes Day – Caulfield racecourse (18th)
One of biggest race days of the early spring follows the next week with the running of the first Group 1 races of the new racing season in Melbourne.Potential spring staying stars will line up in the $350,000 Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m WFA Heart Of Dreams) while top class sprinters will gather for the $350,000 Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m Hcp Turffontein).
Two three-year-old events, the $175,000 Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m SW+P Demerit) for colts & geldings and the $175,000 Group 3 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m SW+P Irish Lights) for fillies are held on the same day and act as excellent lead up races to the upcoming Caulfield Guineas at the same track.
Rounding out the day are the $100,000 Group 3 How Now Stakes (1200m SW+P Velocitea) for Mares and the $100,000 Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m Hcp Red Lord) for middle distance stayers.
Manikato Stakes Night – Moonee Valley racecourse (24th)
The following Friday night Moonee Valley hosts racing under lights with the $500,000 Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m WFA Danleigh) the star attraction and a top quality field always assembled.The $200,000 Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m SW Carrara) is the first mile race of the spring in Melbourne for 3yo gallopers and sprinting fillies will have their eye on the $125,000 Group 3 Champagne Stakes (1200m SW Avenue) for three-year-olds.
October Group races in Melbourne
Turnbull Stakes Day, Flemington racecourse (2nd)
The $500,000 Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m SW+P Efficient) headlines racing in early October and by now the very best thoroughbreds are going around and the Turnbull sets the mood for the big time racing about to hit Melbourne.Another big race on the program is the $300,000 Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m SW Majestic Music) for 3yo fillies while quality sprinting types will tackle the $250,000 Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m SW+P All Silent)
The classier Mares will go around in the $200,000 Group 2 Blazer Stakes (1400m WS+P) on the same day.
Caulfield Guineas Day, Caulfield racecourse (9th)
The first day of the three day Caulfield spring carnival is next on the agenda with the $1,000,000 Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m SW) for three-year-olds the highlight of the day. Exciting sprinter Starspangledbanner led all the way to win this race last year before heading overseas to International success.Two other big races on the program are the $400,000 Group 1 Yalumba Stakes (2000m WFA Whobegotyou) and $350,000 Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m Allez Wonder) which both attract quality gallopers.
In a great day of racing there are three other group races on the program, including the $200,000 Group 2 Presentation Stakes (2400m Alcopop), the $200,000 Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1000m WFA Lucky Secret) and the $125,000 Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m SW+P) for three-year-olds.
Thousand Guineas Day, Caulfield racecourse (13th)
Three-year-old fillies take centre stage midweek on the following Wednesday where the second day of the Caulfield carnival hosts the $500,000 Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m SW Irish Lights) where the best three-year-old fillies will assemble for Group 1 glory.Caulfield Cup Day – Caulfield racecourse (16th)
The third and final day of the Caulfield carnival signals the onset of premium racing in Melbourne with the running of the $2,500,000 Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m). The now deceased Viewed won the race last year defeating Roman Emporer and Vigor.Australia’s best gallopers are now out in force and other big races on Caulfield Cup Day include the $200,000 Group 2 Caulfield Sprint (1100m First Command) for sprinters and the $175,000 Group 2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m SW+P Typhoon Tracy) for Mares.
Three-year-olds will use the $125,000 Group 3 Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m SW Shamoline Warrior) as a Victoria Derby trial, while the $125,000 Group 3 David Jones Cup (2000m Baughurst) and $125,000 Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m SW+P McClintock) attract more than handy types.
WS Cox Plate Day, Moonee Valley racecourse (23rd)
With Caulfield out the way our attention now turns to Moonee Valley were a fantastic day of racing is held with Cox Plate Day. The feature event is the ‘race where legends are made’ , the $3,000,000 Group 1 WS Cox Plate (2040m) run at weight-for-age.The WS Cox Plate assembles the very best gallopers from Australia and New Zealand and any potential International gallopers up to the task. Who can forget the slashing win by 3yo So You Think last year when he led all the way to defeat Manhattan Rain and Zipping.
In a massive day of elite racing there are six other group races on the program including the $250,000 Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m SW+P The Sportsman) and the $200,000 Group 2 Schweppes Stakes (1200m WFA Apache Cat).
The $200,000 Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m Rangirangdoo) is one of the better mile races of the spring while the $200,000 Group 2 AAMI Vase (2040m SW Hanks) gives three-year-olds a final hit out before the Victoria Derby next week.
Rounding out a wonderful day of racing is the $150,000 Group 3 Inglis Mile (1600m Lady Lynette) for mares and the $150,000 Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes (1200m SW+P Avenue) for three-year-olds.
Victoria Derby Day, Flemington racecourse (30th)
Derby Day signals the start of the four day 2010 Melbourne Cup Carnival and is one of the biggest days of racing anywhere in the world featuring nine group races on the program.The $1,500,000 Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m SW Monaco Consul) is the feature event of the day and amongst the most prestigious three-year-old races in the land.
Derby Day boast an impressive list of quality races and the $750,000 Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m WFA Scenic Shot) is another elite race on the card along with the prestigious $500,000 Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m SW Headway) down the straight for three-year-olds.
Our best Fillies & Mares will line up in the $500,000 Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m WFA Typhoon Tracy) at level weights and while staying type fillies will assemble for the $300,000 Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m SW+P Faint Perfume) on their way to the Crown Oaks on the following Thursday.
The $300,000 Group 2 Salinger Stakes (1200m Eagle Falls) takes place down the straight for our best sprinters and the $250,000 Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m SW+P Kidnapped) for three-year-olds has unearthed some stars over the years.
Last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Shocking won the $250,000 Group 3 Lexus Stakes (2500m) beforehand and closing out a massive day of racing is the $250,000 Group 3 Chatham Stakes (1400m) that usually attracts more than handy types.
November group races in Melbourne
Melbourne Cup Day, Flemington racecourse (2nd)
The first Tuesday in November means one thing and that’s the biggest race of the year in Australia and the country will come to a standstill when the $6,175,000 Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) takes place at 3pm in the afternoon.The Mark Kavanagh-trained Shocking showed amazing staying strength to race wide all the way and defeat International gallopers Crime Scene and Mourilyan in front of 102,181 fans last year.
Crown Oaks Day, Flemington racecourse (4th)
Two days after the Melbourne Cup is Ladie’s Day and the best 3yo fillies will battle it out in the $1,000,000 Group 1 Crown Oaks (2500m SW) and quality galloper Faint Perfume was too good in last year’s race.Emirates Stakes Day, Flemington racecourse (6th)
The final day of the Flemington four day carnival is Family Day and the feature event is the $1,000,000 Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) which is the feature mile handicap of the spring and won by All American last year.Star sprinters will line up in the $500,000 Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic (1200m WFA All Silent) at level weights down the straight and in other races on the program the $300,000 Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m SW+P Purple) is a nice race for Mares while the $250,000 Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2500m Sterling prince) will often attract Melbourne Cup runners after an easier race.
The final group race of a huge day of racing is for two-year-old gallopers who face off down the straight in the $150,000 Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate (1000m SW General Truce).
Sandown Classic Day, Sandown racecourse (13th)
Sandown takes centre stage one week after the Flemington carnival with four group races on their main race day of the year.The $350,000 Group 2 Sandown Classic (2400m WFA) is the feature race on the program and tough stayer Zipping made it three successive wins when he won the race last year.
Three-year-olds get their final chance for group race success in the Melbourne spring in the $350,000 Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m SW Kidnapped) while other races at Sandown include the $125,000 Group 3 Sandown Stakes (1500m Nine Tales) and the $125,000 Group 3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m Bashful Girl).
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