Each year the jewel of Australian thoroughbred racing is the iconic Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival and below the Races.com.au team provide our readers with the 2011 Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival Dates for the major Group 1 features of the festival.
Betting on the 2011 Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival opens months in advance thanks to the excellent ante-post betting markets provided by online bookmakers including the Tabcorp-owned Luxbet.
So pencil these dates into your calendar to ensure you enjoy the best Australian racing has to offer and check out the early odds and betting markets by opening an account with Luxbet!
Caulfield Guineas Day – Caulfield – Saturday 8th October 2011
Each year the Caulfield Spring Racing Carnival kicks off with Caulfield Guineas Day at Caulfield Racecourse.
Group 1 features of the day are:
- $1 million Caulfield Guineas (1600m)
- $400,000 Yalumba Stakes (2000m)
- $350,000 Toorak Handicap (1600m)
Other Group races:
- $200,000 Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m)
- $200,000 Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1000m)
- $125,000 Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m)
Thousand Guineas Day – Caulfield – Wednesday 12th October 2011
The second meeting of the mini Caulfield Spring Carnival is held the Wednesday after the Caulfield Guineas when the fillies take centre stage for Thousand Guineas Day.
Group 1 feature of the day:
- $500,000 Thousand Guineas (1600m)
Caulfield Cup Day – Caulfield – Saturday 15th October 2011
The third and final Caulfield Spring Carnival meeting featuring the first of the ‘Big Three’ Group 1 features during the spring racing season is Caulfield Cup Day
Group 1 feature of the day:
- $2.5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m)
Other Group races:
- $200,000 Group 2 Caulfield Sprint (1100m)
- $180,000 Group 2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m)
- $125,000 Group 3 Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m)
- $125,000 Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m)
- $125,000 Group 3 David Jones Cup (2000m)
Cox Plate Day – Moonee Valley – Saturday 22nd October 2011
Cox Plate Day brings the spring racing action to Moonee Valley and is home to the richest weight-for-age race in Australia.
Group 1 feature of the day:
- $3 million Cox Plate (2040m)
Other Group races:
- $300,000 Group 2 Schweppes Stakes (1200m)
- $250,000 Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m)
- $200,000 Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m)
- $200,000 Group 2 AAMI Vase (2040m)
- $150,000 Group 3 Red Anochor Stakes (1200m)
- $150,000 Group 3 Inglis Mile (1600m)
Victoria Derby Day – Flemington – Saturday 29th October 2011
The first of the four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival kicks off on the last Saturday in October with Victoria Derby Day, Australia’s sole all-Group race meeting.
Group 1 feature of the day:
- $1.5 million Victoria Derby (2500m)
Other Group races:
- $750,000 Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m)
- $500,000 Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m)
- $500,000 Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m)
- $300,000 Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m)
- $300,000 Group 2 Salinger Stakes (1200m)
- $250,000 Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m)
- $250,000 Group 3 Chatham Stakes (1400m)
- $250,000 Group 3 The Lexus Stakes (2500m)
Melbourne Cup Day – Flemington – Tuesday 1st November 2011
On the first Tuesday of November the most famous and lucrative race in Australia takes place on Melbourne Cup Day.
Group 1 feature of the day:
- $6 million Melbourne Cup (3200m)
Crown Oaks Day – Flemington – Thursday 3rd November 2011
The third Flemington Cup Carnival meeting takes place the Thursday after the Melbourne Cup with Crown Oaks Day, or Ladies Day.
Group 1 feature of the day:
- $1 million Crown Oaks (2500m)
Emirates Stakes Day – Flemington – Saturday 5th November 2011
The action of the annual Melbourne Cup Carnival comes to a close on the first Saturday of November with Emirates Stakes Day, or Family Day.
Group 1 features of the day:
- $1 million Emirates Stakes (1600m)
- $750,000 Patinack Farm Classic (1200m)
Other Group races:
- $300,000 Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m)
- $250,000 Group 3 Queen’s Cup (2600m)
- $150,000 Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate (1000m)
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