horse racing info

Melbourne Cup Day

More than just a horse race, Melbourne Cup day stops the nation and is a public holiday in the city of Melbourne. More than 100,000 people descend on Flemington racecourse every year creating a carnival like atmosphere to celebrate Australia's biggest race day. The whole country comes to a standstill at 3pm on Cup day, as a new Melbourne Cup winner etches their name into the history books.

Once a year punters are out in force at spring carnival time as people all around the country enjoy a flutter on the Melbourne Cup or try their luck at a Cup sweep. The festival atmosphere, combined with a great day of racing, make for one of the biggest sporting events on the Australian calendar each year.

The Melbourne Cup has risen to great heights over the years and is now a highly rated international event that attracts high class stayers from around the world. The prestigous race status and huge prize money of the Cup make it an attractive proposition for northern hemisphere horses.

Melbourne Cup Day is the highlight of the Melbourne spring racing carnival, and the Melbourne Cup is the feature event of the Victoria Racing Club's annual four-day carnival in November.

Melbourne Cup Day Tickets

The Melbourne Cup Carnival is a fully ticketed affair and to gain entry into Flemington for 2019 Melbourne Cup Day, or any of the four days of the carnival, you must pre-purchase your tickets through 'Ticketmaster/a>' outlets before you get to Flemington on the day.

Reserved Grandstand Seating is also available for purchase and includes General Admission to Flemington Racecourse. Reserved seating is located opposite the winning post in the Hill Stand & Lawn Stand, along with the Undercroft (indoors underneath the Hill Stand).

2020 Melbourne Cup Day Admission Prices*

General Admission Adult Student Pensioner Child Family
Victoria Derby Day $74.00 $60.00 $40.00 Free
Melbourne Cup Day $74.00 $60.00 $40.00 Free
VRC Oaks Day $55.00 $48.00 $28.00 Free
Emirates Stakes Day $55.00 $48.00 $28.00 Free $110.00

(*Prices are approximate only until official prices are announced in spring)

Fancy a more party like atmosphere? Then consider one of the many marquees available on the day, or the Banks Precinct. Enjoy live entertainment, superscreen viewing of the races, tote facilities, bookmakers, bars, catering, whilst allowing access to all general public areas.

If you have purchased pre-booked ticketing to a marquee, restaurant, Banks Precinct or a reserved grandstand seat, your admission to the racecourse will already be included in your package. A smart casual dress code applies to the various marquees & precincts on Melbourne Cup Day and for more information head to www.vrc.net.au or cal (+61 3) 8378 0888.

2020 Melbourne Cup Day Program

Set to jump as Race 7 on the card at 3.00pm, the 2020 Melbourne Cup will take place on Tuesday 3rd November 2020 at Flemington racecourse over a distance of 3200 metres under handicap conditions. There are no emergencies and the field has a maximum of 24 starters.

# Time Purse Status Race Distance Race Type
1 11.00am $150,500 Gr3 Ottawa Stakes 1000m  2yoF Sw
2 11.40am $120,000 tab.com.au Trophy 1700m Mares Hcp
3 12.15pm $120,000   Lavazza Short Black 1400m  4&5yo 0-90
4 12.50pm $120,000 House Charities Plate 2800m 0-96 Hcp
5 1.25pm $120,000 Schweppes Fling 1000m  3yo SW+P
6 2.00pm $150,000 LR Lexus Hybrid Plate 1400m  3yo SW+P
7 3.00pm $6,000,000 Gr1 2019 Melbourne Cup 3200m  Handicap
8 4.05pm $150,000 LR James Boag's Stakes 1800m Handicap
9 4.45pm $150,000 Mss Security Sprint 1200m Handicap
10 5.20pm $200,000 Gr3 Maybe Mahal Stakes 1400m Mares SW+P

Flemington is stuated around 6 kilometres west of the Melbourne CBD and be accessed by car, tram, special race trains or rivercraft. The track is fully grassed and horses race anti-clockwise over a circumference of 2312m with a straight length of 450m.

Melbourne Cup Day Details and Information

The Melbourne spring racing carnival is the highlight of the racing year in Australia and takes place from September to November in Victoria. A number of feature races are held each week until the Caulfield Cup and WS Cox Plate in October pave the way for a huge Melbourne Cup week in November.

How to get to Flemington Racecourse

Regular Trains leave Flinders Street from Platforms 8, 9 & 10 to get you to Flemington and back and they stop along the way at Southern Cross station (Platform 13 & 14) and North Melbourne (Platform 5 & 6), then travel on to Flemington. Contact Metlink on 131 638.

If you fancy catching a Tram then hop aboard the No. 57 tram from the corner of Elizabeth and Flinders St which takes you to Flemington Drive which is off Epsom Road.

Alternatively, catch the Route 472 from Williamstown, Footscray or Moonee Ponds and hop off at Fisher Parade, near the Riverbank entrance or jump on Route 404 from Footscray or Moonee Ponds and disembark on Smithfield Road.

If you are feeling a bit more extravagant then Helicopter flights depart from Melbourne City, Essendon and Moorabbin Airports and land at the helipad/passenger area, at Flemington Racecourse. VIP Lexus courtesy vehicles will then transfer from helipad to main entrance.

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