While the men focus on form the women focus on fashion, the spring carnival is an Australian tradition that offers over 60 days of racing throughout t leading up to the iconic Melbourne Cup.
Food, wine, racing, many worlds collide the spring racing carnival and we’ve constructed this guide to make it easy for you understand the how, what, when’s and whys of the 2015 Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
What are the main race meetings?
The main race meetings are held over three different race tracks. It kicks off at Caulfied, over to Mooney Valley and finishes off in Flemington!
Caulfield
Caulfield Guineas Day Saturday 10th October 2015
Caulfield Blue Sapphire Stakes Day Wednesday 14th October 2015
Caulfield Cup Day Saturday 17th October 2015
Mooney Valley
Manikato Stakes Night Friday 23rd October 2015
WS Cox Plate Day Saturday 24th October 2015
Flemington
Victoria Derby Day Saturday 31st October 2015
Melbourne Cup Day Tuesday 3rd November 2015
Crown Oaks Day Thursday 5th November 2015
Emirates Stakes DaySaturday 7th November 2015
How to buy tickets for the Spring Racing Carnival?
You can buy tickets at the gates for all of the racetracks as well as online. Detailed instructions are below for each racetrack.
Caulfield
Tickets can be purchased at the door for all major race meets as well as online. There are several ticketing options for each race meeting during the Caulfield Cup Carnival including general admission, young members marques or grandstand passes.
Caulfield Guineas Day – Gen Admin $40
Caulfield Blue Sapphire Stakes Day – Gen Admin $20
Caulfield Cup Day – Gen Admin $50
Concession tickets are available.
Young Members Events
For the party goers the young members event is a great day out, packed with 18-35s you’ll have a great time at the best location on course. There’s a DJ area playing tunes to get your feet moving or you can relax in the alfresco area. An after party commences after the last race with a free shuttle bus to get you there!
Mooney Valley
Tickets for the mooney valley racing club can be purchased online as well as at the gate.The two big race meets are the Mooney Valley Racing Club
Manikato stakes day Friday 23rd October Gen Admin $20
Cox Plate Saturday 24th October Gen Admin $55
Concession tickets are available.
Pure Pleasure Enclosure
As Caulfield has the young members events the Valley has the pure please enclosure. Located in the centre of the racecourse right behind the winning post, headline act DJ Will Sparks will be supported by acts from singer / songwriter Chloe Maggs and DJ Andy Murphy.
Flemington
Now we are at the business end of the Carnival, all roads lead to the Melbourne Cup but please don’t discount the other racing. With over 100,000 people packed at the course it can be an absolute spectacle. There’s plenty of ticketing options for each of the days, as per usual general admission tickets can be purchased at the gate on line
Victoria Derby Day Saturday 31st October 2015 Gen Admin $66
Melbourne Cup Day Tuesday 3rd November 2015 Gen Admin $71
Crown Oaks Day Thursday 5th November 2015 Gen Admin $45
Emirates Stakes Day Saturday 7th November 2015 Gen Admin $45
Concession tickets are available.
What to Wear To The Races?
Whichever course you’re at general admission is easy going, get dolled up in your sunday best or slap on a pair of flip flops and soak it up. Don’t be mistaken though many of the punters are better dressed in general admission than the formal function areas.
When You Need to Adhere to Dress Code
If you’re at a function, formal or members area will be required to adhered to dress code. Below is an extract from Melbourne Racing Club
“Gentlemen are required to wear a suit, sports coat or blazer plus tie at all times. Ladies are expected to maintain a suitable standard of dress”
If you’re ever unsure ask the friend who invited you or check the ticket with links to the specific dress code.
Getting To The Races
Caulfield
Address: Caulfield Racecourse, Gate 22, Station Street Caulfield, VIC 3145
Driving: Free public parking is provided in the Centre Car Park on race days, with entry via the roundabout on the corner of Kambrook and Glen Eira Roads. There’s also parking in the surrounding areas but we strongly recommend a taxi, uber or public transport.
Transport: Trains, from the city the Frankston, Dandenong and Caulfield trains depart regularly with extra services on race day. Journey time is approximately 15 minutes from the CBD.
Tram: Route 3/3a Tram runs from the city and stops near the racecourse ( Stop number 56) ( Tram 3 operates weekdays only – tram 3a weekends only) The tram travels along St Kilda Road, through St Kilda and onto Caulfield.
Bus: Buses run from the outer east with the smart route 900 bus running from Stud Park to Caulfield.
Taxi and Uber: are easy ways to get to the track. Once you’re within a couple hundred metres of the track it may be easier getting out walking as it can get very congested on racedays. Kill two birds with one stone and get a $40 uber voucher for $5 dollars to help you get to the races.
Mooney Valley
Address: Gate 1 McPherson St, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039
Driving: There’s a Public car park accessible via Dean Street (Gate 6) or Wilson St (Gate 7)
The members car park is at Gate 1.
Train: Take the Craigieburn line from Flinders Street and get off at Moonee Ponds
The racecourse is a ten minute walk from there( Take Puckle Street)
Tram: The No. 59 tram runs from Elizabeth Street and arrives directly at the Moonee Ponds junction. The racecourse is a 250 metre walk from the tram stop.
Taxi and Uber: Nice and easy and will not cost you much from the city. Remember you can get a $40 uber voucher for $5 dollars to help you get to the races.
Flemington
Address: Flemington Racecourse, 448 Epsom Road, Flemington VIC 3031
Drive: Limited FREE parking available, please enter off Epsom Road onto Flemington Drive. We’d strongly recommend against driving, the traffic will be awful and gets extremely congested. Don’t do it
Train: Special trains run direct to Flemington Racecourse on racedays with extra services. This is a very simple and popular process. Flinders Street, Southern Cross and North Melbourne stations are the best to get the train from.
Tram: Take Route no 57 from the corner of Elizabeth Street and Flinders Street and get off at stop 30
Bus: Route 472 or 404 if you’re coming from Williamstown, Footscray or Moonee Ponds
Taxi and Uber: Taxis can only enter the racecourse off Smithfield Road at the Stables Drive entrance or drop off racegoers in Leonard Crescent via Langs Road. Uber’s may not be able to drop you off as close to the racecourse. You can get a $40 uber voucher for $5 dollars to help you get to the races.
How to place a bet during the Spring Racing Carnival
The TAB, outlets are everywhere and you can bet in cash. The issue here is the queues as you may be waiting a long time to get your bet on. Bookies – Similar to the tab but less betting options you can bet in cash but the lines are also long. I guess it’s the romantic thing to do put the bet on with a bookie.
Online Bookmakers
Online bookmakers are becoming evermore popular as you can place the bet from the convenience of your phone or computer and don’t have to move far! Even better they offer huge bonuses so you free bets to attract new customers.
How to pick a winner
In terms of picking a winner, well if I knew that I wouldn’t be writing this article. They key is to enjoy yourself, bet responsibility and bet what you can afford to lose.
