With edge of your seat races, flamboyant outfits and non-stop fun, the Melbourne Cup calendar is filled with spectacle not to missed. Situated on the breathtaking Flemington Racecourse, the carnival is held from the end of October to the first week of November and will feature Australia’s greatest horse races. Going into its 150th year (2010), the Melbourne Carnival has become an important part of Australia’s cultural and social tradition. With names such as Phar Lap, Makybe Diva and Carbine, the carnival is by a long was one of the most inspiring sections of our nation’s history and is growing each year. Each year over 700 million people from around the world turn on their televisions to watch the Melbourne Cup.
Over the course of four days the AAMI Victoria Derby Day, Emirates Melbourne Cup Day, Crown Oaks Day and the Emirates Stakes Day will allow spectators to see some of the world’s greatest horses compete for the chance to be named a winner of the Melbourne Cup.
- Saturday 30 October – AAMI Victoria Derby Day
- Tuesday 2 November – Emirates Melbourne Cup Day
- Thursday 4 November – Crown Oaks Day
- Saturday 6 November – Emirates Stakes Day
The first race marked on the calendar is the AAMI Victoria Derby day which features 9 races including the Mackinnon Stakes, the Myer Classic and the AAMI Victoria Derby. With all the races on this day of group status, the day is especially popular with those wanting to see the better horses of the carnival race. The most important race of the day, the Victoria Derby, is a group 1 set weight race over a distance of 2500 metres. The race has seen many champion horses win including Phar Lap and trainer Bart Cummings.
Next on the list is the Emirates Melbourne Cup Day, home to the world famous 3200 metre Melbourne Cup race. Worth over $6 million dollars (in 2010), this particular race is the world’s richest handicap race and the 1st place getter takes home $3,600,000 plus trophies (2010). The race’s most successful trainer, Bart Cummings, has taken home twelve winning titles and will with no doubt continue to steal the show in the future. Known as “the race that stops a nation”, the Melbourne Cup calendar draws a crowd of over 100,000 people and these numbers continue to soar.
Known as “Ladies Day” at Flemington, the Crown Oaks Day is an amazing showcase of Australia’s horses particularly in the Crown Oaks race, which is the highlight of the day. The nation’s finest fillies compete along the 2500 metre race, providing the crowd with a scene of elegance and resilience as the fillies sprint past. $600,000 is awarded to the winner and the owner, trainer and rider all receive trophies on the day. With so many women attending the race day, it is little wonder that the Crown Oaks Day also hosts the prestigious Fashions on the Field.
Marking the last day of the Melbourne Cup calendar, the Emirates Stakes day is the richest 1600 metre race in Victorian competitive betting and is also known as the best miler’s race. The Group 1 handicap race is 1600 metres in distance and features some of the best sprinters Australia has seen. The day is famous for the number of times the Stakes have been renamed, a total of 7 times. The Emirates Stakes day also features the 2500 metre Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the 1200 metre Age Classic.
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