Regarded as the most anticipated sporting event of the year, the Spring Racing Carnival brings together the cream of thoroughbred racing, culminating in November when the entire nation comes to a standstill for the almighty Melbourne Cup. We nominate a few of our favourite Melbourne and Sydney race days, the perfect day out to Flaunt Your Style.
Melbourne Spring Racing
From September through to November, the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival stakes are high as the nation's best horses, trainers and jockeys compete for prize money and prestige.
Attracting a host of international riders, the Caulfield Cup is widely regarded as the most accurate indicator of a horse’s form heading into the Melbourne Cup. Held just three weeks before Australia’s richest race, the $3 Million, 2016 Caulfield Cup holds novice bettors and racing fanatics in thrall.
Caulfield Cup: Saturday 15th October 2016 Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne
The 2016 WS Cox Plate is one of the big three races of the Spring Carnival, showcasing some of the world's leading thoroughbred racehorses battling it out for a share of the $3 million-plus prize pool. Attracting more than just racing enthusiasts, this is one of the biggest days on Melbourne's social calendar.
Cox Plate: Saturday 22nd October 2016, Moonee Valley Racecourse
The Melbourne Cup Carnival spans four incredible race days at Flemington Racecourse: AAMI Victoria Derby Day; Emirates Melbourne Cup Day; Crown Oaks Day, and Emirates Stakes Day, all held at the world-famous Flemington Racecourse. Featuring sporting royalty, a slew of celebrities and dedicated fashionistas vying for best dressed, racing fever is at its peak during the running of the $6.2 million Melbourne Cup. For those who may not be rich, famous or well-connected enough to gain an invitation to the Birdcage, (the VIP exclusion zone in Flemington), a general admissions ticket will allow you to enjoy the much loved Flemington Front Lawn, food precincts, bars and still have enough left over for a flutter.
AAMI Victoria Derby Day Saturday 29 October 2016
Emirates Melbourne Cup Tuesday 1 November 2016
Crown Oaks Day Thursday 3 November 2016
Emirates Stakes Day Saturday 5 November 2016
All were held at Flemington Racecourse
Sydney Spring Racing
What Sydney lacks in preeminent racing events, they make up for in the betting, enthusiasm and glamour stakes.
The Royal Randwick Spring Carnival kicks off in September with the Colgate Optic White Stakes Day (formerly George Main Stakes Day). Every year thousands of keen punters flock to Royal Randwick to watch the four group races, the major event being the $300,000 George Main Stakes. This year all eyes will be on champion mare 'Winx', the current race favourite vying for her 11th straight win. Race ambassadors Jennifer Hawkins, Jessica Song and US-based model Megan Blake Irwin, will all be on hand to ramp up the glamour quota.
Colgate Optic White Stakes Day: Saturday, 17 September 2016, Royal Randwick
Epsom Handicap Day, also known as Super Saturday, is host to seven races, four of which are Group One. With prize money totalling almost $3 million, this is one of the richest days of the Sydney racing calendar. This year best-dressed racegoers will be contending for the largest first prize in Royal Randwick's history: a BMW Convertible valued at over $80,000.
Epsom Handicap: Saturday 1st October 2016, Royal Randwick
Winding up the Carnival, Melbourne Cup Day at Royal Randwick takes place on the same day as the official Melbourne Cup race. Whilst the nation's racing elite can mostly be found trackside, south of the border, local enthusiasts can still get into Cup Day spirit via the largest super-screen in the southern hemisphere.
Melbourne Cup Day: Tuesday 1 November, Royal Randwick
Image: Victoria Racing Club -https://www.flemington.com.au