Administration: Victoria Racing Club.
Feature Races: Highlight of the Melbourne racing calendar is the four day Melbourne Cup Carnival, featuring one of the most well known sporting events in the world - The Melbourne Cup.
History: The VRC first held it's famous two mile handicap event in 1861. It is now the richest race of this type in the world. The Cup is held on the first Tuesday of November, a public holiday in Victoria. All the winners of the Melbourne Cup become a part of Australian racing history. In recent times we have seen Makybe Diva win the race an unprecedented three times in a row from 2003 -2005. The most anticipated race on the Australian calendar. Each raceday during the Spring Carnival has an official flower: for Derby Day is it a Corn Flower, Melbourne Cup Day is a Yellow Rose, Crown Oaks Day is a Pink Rose, and on Emirates Stakes Day is it traditional to wear a Red Rose.
About the track: Circumference is 2313 metres, length of the home straight is 450 metres. After suffering from track bias problems for many years, the track was fully reconstructed in 2007. New turf and a camber on the right hand side have dramatically improved the track with little bias on either side of the track and an equal advantage to those racing on the pace and finishing from behind. Whereas the old track had the potential to become very hard in dry weather and very wet in the rain, the new track offers a more consistent surface that suits most runners and is a safer track for horses to race on all year round.
Characteristics:
1000m -1200 metres - Races run over 1000, 1100 or 1200 metres use the ‘straight six’ (named for its six furlongs) with barriers placed at the end of the chute which leads into the home straight, giving one long straight run to the winning post. On certain days, rail position and barrier draws can be crucial in determining which horses have the best chance.
When the rail is True, there is an advantage to those horses who are drawn inside and stick to the inside rail. However, we often see fields splitting up with horses racing on both sides of the track. When the rail is out more than 5 metres, it is possible for runners to win on both the inside and outside rails. In rain affected conditions or after several days of consecutive racing, horses have been known to head for the crown of the track and avoid the rails altogether. Penetrometers readings can be a guide to determining which side of the track has the better going, although the outside rail sees less traffic on race day and can often be significantly better in rain affected going.
The 1600m & 2500m starts are positioned right before a bend. Drawing an inside barrier at these starting positions can be an advantage, especially when the rail is out 5 metres or more.
1400m & 3200m - when the rail is True, there is often very little bias to report. Most horses will have their chance, although it is always difficult to lead all the way at this track due to the long home straight. Barriers are usually of little importance. When the rail is out, there is a slight advantage to drawing an inside gate.
There are only a few races run over the 3200m start each year, including the Melbourne Cup. In theory, the barriers should be of no consequence over the two miles, however trainers always prefer to draw inside barrier 12. It's worth noting that few horses have managed to cross the line a winner over the Cup distance when carrying more than 55.5kgs.
When the rail is True, there is an advantage to those horses who are drawn inside and stick to the inside rail. However, we often see fields splitting up with horses racing on both sides of the track. When the rail is out more than 5 metres, it is possible for runners to win on both the inside and outside rails. In rain affected conditions or after several days of consecutive racing, horses have been known to head for the crown of the track and avoid the rails altogether. Penetrometers readings can be a guide to determining which side of the track has the better going, although the outside rail sees less traffic on race day and can often be significantly better in rain affected going.
The 1600m & 2500m starts are positioned right before a bend. Drawing an inside barrier at these starting positions can be an advantage, especially when the rail is out 5 metres or more.
1400m & 3200m - when the rail is True, there is often very little bias to report. Most horses will have their chance, although it is always difficult to lead all the way at this track due to the long home straight. Barriers are usually of little importance. When the rail is out, there is a slight advantage to drawing an inside gate.
There are only a few races run over the 3200m start each year, including the Melbourne Cup. In theory, the barriers should be of no consequence over the two miles, however trainers always prefer to draw inside barrier 12. It's worth noting that few horses have managed to cross the line a winner over the Cup distance when carrying more than 55.5kgs.
