|
|
|
| :: SITE CONTRIBUTORS :: |
| Editor: Elliot Dean |
| Writer: Ross Thomson |
| Writer: Janet Bastow |
| Photographer: Matthew Smith |
|
| |
Melbourne Racecourses: At a Glance
|
| |
| |
Flemington
Flemington, generally speaking, is Melbourne’s truest and fairest racecourse. Its features include a 537 metre straight and long, sweeping bend leading into the straight.
The 1400 metre start is perhaps the most crucial, with respect to barriers. As the majority of that trip coincides with the sweeping bend, outside barriers can be disastrous, forcing horses to cover much extra ground. Conversely, frontrunners, drawn on the inside, are distinctly favoured over the 1400 metres.
The 1600, 1800 and 2000 metre races begin at various points along the back straight, and give all horses their chance to win.
The 2500 metre race, the Derby, is most interesting. A short run, of less than 200 metres, awaits both horse and jockey before the first, tight turn.
The “straight six” or, in the metric measure, the 1200 metre race is often the topic of controversy during the Spring Carnival. Jockeys can choose to steer their mounts to either the outside or Grandstand rail, or the inside or Flat rail. Track bias, as opposed to he relative abilities of the horses, is sometimes the key determinant in making a race selection.
Caulfield
Caulfield, the Heath, home of the Caulfield Cup – the toughest 2400 metre race in all of Australia. The Cup begins approximately three-quarters of the length up the straight. The beginning of this great race is crucial. Jockeys must position their mounts with precision, and in doing so, avoid the interference the invariably occurs. Frontrunners must get across to the rails early, to avoid being caught wide on the first turn. The swoopers must avoid being caught too far back, or worse, trapped on the rails and boxed-in. The race changes complexion from about the 800 metre mark. The leaders pour on the pressure, attempting to get the chasers off the bit. Into the straight, the leaders begin to feel the pinch and the swoopers begin to relentlessly thunder home. Only the very best can continue their charge from here. Who can ever forget the sight of Might and Power, nostrils flared, forelegs relentlessly hammering the turf, and forging clear by seven-and-a-half lengths in the Cup of 1997?
Caulfield also plays host to Victoria’s premier two-year-old race, the Blue Diamond Stakes: a sprint over 1200 metres. The start is crucial. Any juvenile which lingers in the barriers, even a split second too long, is finished – their campaign and all the money poured into it, lost. Speed is paramount. Leaders must be able to continue at breakneck speed from “whoa to go”. Conversely, the swoopers must be able to keep pace with the leaders but still have enough fuel remaining in the tank to produce their final burst. An intriguing contest, no doubt.
Moonee Valley
Moonee Valley is home of the Weight-For-Age championship of Australia – the Cox Plate. This race truly is the yardstick, the race which determines who is the best. Won in the past by some of the greats of the Australian turf, such as Phar Lap, Tulloch, Kingston Town and Dulcify. And in recent years, by household names like Better Loosen Up, Might and Power, Sunline and Northerly.
The start of this 2040 metre contest is very tricky. A short run of less than 150 metres before the first turn means that jockeys must have their mounts in position early. The first 1000 metres is often run at a dawdling pace, as jockeys play mind games. Nonetheless, from the “school” to the finish, the pressure is poured on, and racegoers are treated to a relentless battle between the greatest thoroughbreds Australia has to offer.
Return to main page
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Upcoming Events:
|
Sat 14th October:
The Age Caufield Guineas Day
Always a Spring Carnival favourite, Caufield Guineas day is the first big event of
the season. Featuring the $1 Million Caufield Guineas, and two
other Group 1 races (Yalumba Stakes and Toorak Handicap), it promises to
be a fun-filled day of racing!
Cost: Adults $35, Concession $20
(Children U14 free with adult)
|
Sat 21st October:
BMW Caufield Cup Day
The $2.5 Million Caufield Cup just seems to get bigger every year! Featuring
6 Group Races, and plenty of trackside entertainment, it is a must in the racing
calendar each year. See stars such as Eremein and
Railings battle it out for the MRC's top prize!
Cost: Adults $45, Concession $25
(Children U14 free with adult)
|
Sat 28th October:
Tattersall's Cox Plate Day
The Tattersall's Cox Plate is acknowledged as one of the classic
events of Australian horse racing. Past winners read like a who’s
who of the Australian turf, including Northerly, Sunline, Might & Power, Saintly, Octagonal, Tulloch, and Phar Lap.
Cost: Adults $40, Concession $25
(Children U12 free with adult)
Click here for more packages
|
Sat 4th November:
AAMI Victoria Derby Day
AAMI Victoria Derby kicks off the Melbourne Cup carnival in great
style. Last year a record 115,000 people flocked to Flemington for this fabulous
day's racing which in 2006 will feature four Group 1 races.
Cost: Adults $48, Concession $25, Children $8
|
Tuesday 7th November:
Emirates Melbourne Cup Day
The $5.1 million Emirates Melbourne Cup is Australia's richest and
most famous horse race and is run at 3pm over 3200 metres. It is the race which brings the nation to a stop.
In 2005, Makybe Diva ridden by Glen Boss wrote herself into the history books as the first horse to win three Melbourne Cups.
Cost: Adults $50, Concession $26, Children $8
|
|
|
|
