The Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival is arguably the most prestigious of all Australia’s racing carnivals. Home to the coveted Melbourne Cup, the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival begins in August each year. Group 1 racing commences with the running of the Group 1 Memsie Stakes at the end of October. Worth $400,000 in prize money, the Memsie Stakes is run over a distance of 1,400 metres under weight-for-age conditions and is open to horses aged three years and older.

The highly sought-after Caulfield Cup is held at Caulfield Racecourse in October. The Caulfield Cup is worth a hefty $3 million and typically attracts a variety of international runners and locals who are trying to make the Melbourne Cup field. The horse that wins the Caulfield Cup each year gains automatic entry into the Melbourne Cup and does not have to partake in the ballot system.

Often regarded as the most prestigious race to win in Australia, the Cox Plate is run at Moonee Valley Racecourse on the weekend before the Melbourne Cup Carnival begins. The Group 1 Cox Plate is run over a stayer’s distance of 2,040 metres and is run under weight-for-age conditions. The Cox Plate is worth a total of $3 million in prize money, with $1.8 million going straight to the winner.

The Melbourne Cup Carnival then begins with the AAMI Victoria Derby, which takes place three days before the Melbourne Cup. Patrons to Flemington Racecourse traditionally wear black and white on Victoria Derby Day.

The Melbourne Cup then features as the showcase race of the carnival on the first Tuesday of November. The Melbourne Cup is run over the classic distance of 3,200 metres and is run under handicap conditions and open to horses aged three-years-old and upwards.

Two days later, the $1 million Crown Oaks for three-year-old fillies takes place on Ladies Day. Ladies Day is well-known for being the home of Fashions on the Field, where women are judged on their dress in order to win money and prizes.

The final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival takes place on the Saturday, two days later. Emirates Stakes Day features the Group 1 Emirates Stakes and the VRC Sprint Classic. Both worth $1 million in prize money, the Emirates Stakes is a handicap race run over a distance of 1,600 metres, while the VRC Sprint Classic is a weight-for-age race run over a sprinter’s distance of 1,200 metres up the famous Flemington straight.

2014 Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival Calendar

Sir John Monash Stakes Day

Saturday 5 Jul 2014
Caulfield Racecourse

Group 3 John Monash Stakes – 1100m Weight For Age, $135,000

VRC Winter Championships Day

Saturday 12 Jul 2014
Flemington Racecourse

Listed VRC Winter Championship – 1600m 3YO&UP Handicap, $150,000
Listed All Victorian Sprint Final – 1200m 3YO&UP Handicap, $150,000
Listed Taj Rossi Series Final – 1600m 2YO Handicap, $120,000

Bletchingly Stakes Day

Saturday 26 Jul 2014
Caulfield Racecourse

Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes – 1200m Weight For Age, $150,000

Aurie’s Star Handicap Day

Saturday 9 Aug 2014
Flemington Racecourse

Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap – 1200m Open Handicap, $150,000

PB Lawrence Stakes Day

Saturday 16 Aug 2014
Caulfield Racecourse

Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes – 1400m 3YO&UP Weight For Age, $200,000
Group 3 Vain Stakes – 1100m 3YO C&G Set Weights w Penalties, $150,000
Group 3 Quezette Stakes – 1100m 3YO F Set Weights w Penalties, $150,000
Listed Regal Roller Stakes – 1200m 4YO&UP Handicap, $120,000

McKenzie Stakes Day

Saturday 23 Aug 2014
Moonee Valley Racecourse

Listed McKenzie Stakes – 1200m 3YO C&G Set Weights w Penalties, $120,000
Listed Carlyon Stakes – 1000m 4YO+ Set Weights w Penalties, $120,000

Memsie Stakes Day

Saturday 30 Aug 2014
Caulfield Racecourse

Group 1 Memsie Stakes – 1400m 3YO&UP Weight For Age, $400,000
Group 3 HDF McNeil Stakes – 1200m 3YO Set Weights w Penalties, $150,000
Group 3 The Heath – 1100m 4YO+ Set Weights w Penalties, $150,000
Group 3 WW Cockram Stakes – 1200m 4YO+ M Set Weights w Penalties, $150,000
Listed Slickpix Stakes – 1700m Open Handicap, $120,000

Dato’ Chin Nam Stakes Day

Saturday 6 Sep 2014
Moonee Valley Racecourse

Group 2 Dato’ Chin Nam Stakes – 1600m Weight For Age, $250,000
Group 2 McEwen Stakes – 1000m Weight For Age, $200,000
Listed Chandler Macleod Stakes – 1200m Open Handicap, $120,000

Makybe Diva Stakes Day

Saturday 13 Sep 2014
Flemington Racecourse

Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes – 1600m Weight For Age, $400,000
Group 2 Danehill Stakes – 1200m 3YO Set Weights w Penalties, $200,000
Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes – 1400m 4YO&UP M Set Weights w Penalties, $200,000
Group 3 Bobbie Lewis Quality – 1200m 4YO&UP Quality, $150,000
Listed Henry Bucks Best Dressed Stakes – 1400m 3YO Set Weights w Penalties, $120,000
Listed The Sofitel – 1400m 4YO&UP Handicap, $120,000
Listed Cap C’Antibes Stakes – 1000m 3YO F Set Weights w Penalties, $120,000

Underwood Stakes Day

Saturday 20 Sep 2014
Caulfield Racecourse

Group 1 Underwood Stakes – 1800m 3YO&UP Weight For Age, $400,000
Group 3 Naturalism Stakes – 2000m Open Quality, $150,000
Group 3 Sportingbet Sprint Series Heat 2 Stakes – 1200m 4YO&UP M Set Weights w Penalties, $150,000

Moir Stakes Day

Friday 26 Sep 2014
Moonee Valley Racecourse

Group 1 Moir Stakes – 1200m Weight For Age, $450,000
Group 2 Bill Stutt Stakes – 1600m 3YO Set Weights, $200,000
Group 2 Top Cut Stocks Stakes – 1600m 4YO&UP M Weight For Age, $200,000
Group 3 JRA Cup – 2040m Open Quality, $200,000
Group 3 Champagne Stakes – 1200m 3YO F Set Weights, $150,000

Harry White Classic Day

Saturday 27 Sep 2014
Sandown Racecourse

Listed Harry White Classic – 2400m Open Handicap, $120,000

Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Day

Sunday 28 Sep 2014
Caulfield Racecourse

Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes – 1400m Open Handicap, $400,000
Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude – 1400m 3YO F Set Weights w Penalties, $200,000
Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude – 1400m 3YO C&G Set Weights w Penalties, $175,000
Listed Testa Rossa Stakes – 1200m Open Handicap, $120,000

Turnbull Stakes Day

Saturday 4 Oct 2014
Flemington Racecourse

Group 1 Turnbull Stakes – 2000m 4YO&UP Set Weights w Penalties, $500,000
Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes – 1600m 3YO F Set Weights, $200,000
Group 2 Gilgai Stakes – 1200m Set Weights w Penalties, $200,000
Group 2 Blazer Stakes – 1400m 4YO&UP M Set Weights w Penalties, $200,000
Group 3 The Bart Cummings – 2500m Open Quality, $150,000
Listed Yellow Glen Vintage Stakes – 1400m 3YO Set Weights w Penalties, $120,000
Listed VCI Stakes – 1800m 3YO Set Weights w Penalties, $120,000
Listed Paris Lane Stakes – 1400m 4YO&UP Handicap, $120,000
Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes – 1000m 2YO Set Weights, $120,000

Caulfield Guineas Day

Saturday 11 Oct 2014
Caulfield Racecourse

Group 1 Caulfield Guineas – 1600m 3YO Set Weights, $1,000,000
Group 1 Caulfield Stakes – 2000m 3YO&UP Weight For Age, $400,000
Group 1 Toorak Handicap – 1600m, Open Handicap, $400,000
Group 1 Thousand Guineas – 1600m, 3YO F Set Weights, $500,000
Group 2 Schillaci Stakes – 1000m 3YO&UP Weight For Age, $200,000
Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes – 2400m Open Qlty, $200,000
Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes – 1200m 3YO F Set Weights w Penalties, $150,000
Group 3 Sportingbet Sprint Series Final – 1200m 4YO&UP M Set Weights w Penalties, $150,000
Listed Debutants Stakes – 1000m 2YO Set Weights, $120,000
Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes – 1400m Open Handicap, $120,000

Cranbourne Cup Day

Sunday 12 Oct 2014
Cranbourne Racecourse

Listed Cranbourne Cup – 2025m Open Handicap, $200,000

Ladies Day Vase Day

Wednesday 15 Oct 2014
Caulfield Racecourse

Group 3 Ladies Day Vase – 1600m 4YO&UP M Set Weights w Penalties, $150,000
Listed Caulfield Village Stakes – 1200m Open Handicap, $120,000

Caulfield Cup Day

Saturday 18 Oct 2014
Caulfield Racecourse

Group 1 Caulfield Cup – 2400m Open Handicap, $3,000,000
Group 2 Caulfield Sprint – 1100m Open Handicap, $200,000
Group 2 Tristarc Stakes – 1400m 4YO&UP M Set Weights w Penalties, $200,000
Group 3 David Jones Cup – 2000m Open Handicap, $150,000
Group 3 Caulfield Classic – 2000m 3YO Set Weights, $750,000
Group 3 Moonga Stakes – 1400m 4YO&UP Handicap, $150,000
Listed Gothic Stakes – 1400m 3YO C&G Set Weights w Penalties, $120,000
Listed Ethereal Stakes – 2000m 3YO F Handicap, $120,000
Listed Alinghi Stakes – 1100m 3YO&UP F&M Handicap, $120,000

Geelong Cup Day

Wednesday 22 Oct 2014
Geelong Racecourse

Group 3 Geelong Cup – 2400m Open Handicap, $300,000
Listed Geelong Classic – 2200m 3YO Set Weights w Penalties, $120,000
Listed Fillies and Mares Handicap – 1200m 3YO&UP F&M Handicap, $120,000

Manikato Stakes Night

Friday 24 Oct 2014
Moonee Valley Racecourse

Group 1 Manikato Stakes – 1200m Weight For Age, $1,000,000
Listed William Crockett Stakes – 1200m 3YO F Set Weights w Penalties, $120,000

Cox Plate Day

Saturday 25 Oct 2014
Moonee Valley Racecourse

Group 1 Cox Plate – 2040m 3YO&UP Weight For Age, $3,000,000
Group 2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic – 1600m 3YO F Set Weights, $200,000
Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup – 2500m 4YO&UP Set Weights w Penalties, $250,000
Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase – 2040m 3YO Set Weights, $200,000
Group 2 Crystal Mile – 1600m Weight For Age, $200,000
Group 3 Telstra Phonewords Stakes – 1200m 3YO Set Weights w Penalties, $150,000
Group 3 Eliza Park International Stakes – 1600m 4YO&UP M Handicap, $150,000

Bendigo Cup Day

Wednesday 29 Oct 2014
Bendigo Racecourse

Listed Bendigo Cup – 2400m Open Handicap, $250,000

Victoria Derby Day

Saturday 1 Nov 2014
Flemington Racecourse

Group 1 Victoria Derby – 2500m 3YO Set Weights, $1,500,000
Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes – 2000m Weight For Age, $1,000,000
Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes – 1200m 3YO Set Weights, $500,000
Group 1 Myer Classic – 1600m 3YO&UP F&M Weight For Age, $500,000
Group 2 Yellowglen Stakes – 1200m Open Handicap, $300,000
Group 2 Wakeful Stakes – 2000m 3YO F Set Weights w Penalties, $300,000
Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes – 1600m 3YO Set Weights w Penalties, $250,000
Group 3 Lexus Stakes – 2500m Open Quality, $250,000
Group 3 Chatham Stakes – 1400m Open Handicap, $250,000

Melbourne Cup Day

Tuesday 4 Nov 2014
Flemington Racecourse

Group 1 Melbourne Cup – 3200m Open Handicap, $6,000,000
Group 3 Maybe Mahal Stakes – 1400m 4YO&UP M Handicap, $200,000
Group 3 Ottawa Stakes – 1000m 2YO F Set Weights w Penalties, $150,000
Listed Melbourne Cup Day Plate – 1800m Open Handicap, $150,000
Listed Desirable Stakes – 1400m 3YO F Set Weights w Penalties, $150,000
Listed Always Welcome Stakes – 1200m Open Handicap, $150,000

Crown Oaks Day

Thursday 6 Nov 2014
Flemington Racecourse

Group 1 Crown Oaks – 2500m 3YO F Set Weights, $1,000,000
Group 3 Red Roses Stakes – 1100m 3YO F Set Weights w Penalties, $150,000
Group 3 GH Mumm Stakes – 1100m 4YO&UP M Set Weights w Penalties, $200,000
Listed Connoisseur Stakes – 1800m 3YO Handicap, $150,000
Listed Dilmah Early Grey Stakes – 1000m 3YO&UP Se Weights w Penalties, $150,000

Emirates Stakes Day

Saturday 8 Nov 2014
Flemington Racecourse

Group 1 Emirates Stakes – 1600m Open Quality, $1,000,000
Group 1 VRC Sprint Classic – 1200m Weight For Age, $1,000,000
Group 2 Momentum Energy Stakes – 2000m 4YO&UP M Set Weights w Penalties, $300,000
Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes – 2600m Open Quality, $250,000
Group 3 HKJC Maribyrnong Plate – 1000m 2YO Set Weights, $150,000
Listed Hilton Hotels & Resorts Stakes – 1400m 3YO Handicap, $150,000

Zipping Classic Day

Saturday 15 Nov 2014
Sandown Hill

Group 2 Zipping Classic – 2400m Weight For Age, $350,000
Group 2 Sandown Guineas – 1600m 3YO Set Weights, $300,000
Group 3 Sandown Stakes – 1500m Open Quality, $150,000
Group 3 Eclipse Stakes – 1800m Open Quality, $150,000
Group 3 Summoned Stakes – 1500m 4YO&UP M Set Weights w Penalties, $150,000
Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes – 1300m Weight For Age, $150,000
Listed Sandown Cup – 3200m Open Handicap, $150,000
Listed Twilight Glow Stakes – 1400m 3YO F Set Weights w Penalties, $120,000
Listed Merson Cooper Stakes – 1000m 2YO Set Weights, $120,000