Moonee Valley Racecourse

Moonee Valley racecourse is located in Melbourne, Victoria about 6 kilometres north of the Melbourne city centre and the circuit has hosted both thoroughbred racing and harness racing over the years. Moonee Valley is the only metropolitan race track to have night racing.

The Moonee Valley track is colosseum like, which allows racing fans get up close and personal as the horses run down the straight and it adds to the excitement of racing at the Valley.

Moonee Valley hosts the time honoured weight-for-age championship of Australiasia, the WS Cox Plate which takes place each October during the Melbourne spring carnival. It is home to the 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's main race day is one week before Victoria Derby day at Flemington when the prestigious Group 1 WS Cox Plate is held in late October at weight for age. In March, the Group 1 William Reid Stakes is the MVRC's premier race of the autumn.

Autumn racing carnival at Moonee Valley
Moonee Valley has four feature race days in the Melbourne autumn with the Group 2 Australia Stakes late January first cab off the rank, followed by the Group 2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic in early March. The Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes and Group 1 William Reid Stakes take place over consecutive Saturdays in late March.

Below are the main races of the Moonee Valley autumn racing carnival.

Spring racing carnival at Moonee Valley
WS Cox Plate Day in October is the premier race day each year for the Moonee Valley Racing Club when they hold the prestigious weight-for-age championship of Australasia, the Group 1 WS Cox Plate.

The MVRC has two other feature race meetings in September which add plenty of excitement to the spring carnival. The Group 2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes early in the month often provides a springboard to greater heights for our middle distance types while the Group 1 Manikato Stakes later in the month attracts quality sprinters.

Below are the major races of the Moonee Valley spring racing carnival.

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

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;

• Caulfield racecourse details & track map
• Flemington Racecourse details & track map
• Sandown racecourse details & track map

Visit our Melbourne autumn racing carnival and Melbourne spring racing carnival pages for more information on the two major racing carnivals in Victoria.