Moonee Valley race track is located in Melbourne, Victoria about 6 kilometres north of the Melbourne city centre and the course hosts both thoroughbred racing and harness racing, and is the only melbourne track to have night racing. Moonee Valley hosts the time honoured weight-for-age championship of Australiasia the WS Cox Plate each October during the Melbourne spring carnival. It is home to the Moonee Valley Racing Club.
Moonee Valley Racing Club
Racing first began at Moonee Valley racecourse in 1883 due to the vision of founder William Sam Cox who transformed a barren piece of land into what is now known as Moonee Valley, and the Moonee Valley Racing Club was born. The Committee decided to run a weight-for-age race in Sam Cox's honour and it was strategically placed on the racing calendar between the Caulfield Cup, Victoria Derby and Melbourne Cup, and the WS Cox Plate immediately became a race of importance and prestige.
The WS Cox Plate has grown to become the premier weight-for-age race in Australia and is recognised around the world as one of the classic events in international horse racing. Some outstanding horses have won the Cox Plate including Phar Lap, Kingston Town, Dulcify, Gunsynd, Super Impose, Octagonal, Might and Power, and great mare Sunline. The WS Cox Plate is a race where legends are made and one of Australia's greatest races.
Moonee Valley Racing Carnival
Moonee Valley's main race day is the WS Cox Plate which takes place a week before Victoria Derby day at Flemington. Below are the major races held at Moonee Valley.
WS Cox Plate - Group 1 - Weight-for-age race over 1400m
Manikato Stakes - Group 1 - Weight-for-age race over 1200m
William Reid Stakes - Group 1 - Weight-for-age race over 1200m
Track Details
Moonee Valley is a tight track with a circumference of only 1,805 metres and a very short straight of only 173 metres. It is a track that suits horses who can lead or take a handy position in a race because if you are too far back turning for home then it will take a herculean effort to be able to win. Moonee Valley has produced many track specialists including one who has a race named after him and is buried at the track, the mighty Manikato.
Circumference: 1,805 metres
Straight: 173 metres
Direction: Anti-Clockwise
Mooee Valley Track Map
Moonee Valley Contact details
Moonee Valley Racing Club
PO Box 245,
Moonee Ponds,
Vic 3039, Australia
Ph: +61 3 9373 2242
Fax: +61 3 9370 0017
Website: Moonee Valley Racing Club Website
How to get to Moonee Valley racecourse
Moonee Valley is located a few minutes drive from Melbourne's city centre by following Elizabeth Street to Flemington Road, and then branch left onto Mt Alexander Road. Follow the road to Moonee Ponds junction; turn right into Kellaway Avenue, left into Pascoe Vale Road and right into Wilson Street. Turn right into access road indicated by a sign.
Another route can be found from from Melbourne city, by following Citylink north and exit at Moreland Road. At the end of Moreland Road, turn left into Pascoe Vale Road. Follow Pascoe Vale Road and turn left into Wilson Street.
By train
Craigieburn line from Flinders Street Station stops at Moonee Ponds Station. Moonee Valley Racecourse is then a 10 minute walk down Puckle Street.
By tram
No. 59 tram from Elizabeth Street arrives directly at Moonee Ponds junction. Moonee Valley Racecourse main entrance is a 200-metre walk. Shuttle buses
Buses depart regularly from Flemington Racecourse and Visy Park to Moonee Valley from 10.30am – 2pm, and from Moonee Valley Racecourse to Crown Casino, Flemington Racecourse and Visy Park from 4.30pm – 7.30pm.
Melbourne has three other city racing tracks which can be found below;
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