Quality racing returns as Victoria’s Spring Racing Carnival kicks off
Victoria’s 2026 Spring Racing Carnival officially gets underway at Caulfield on Saturday, launching a three-month program featuring 22 Group 1 races, a historic first Cox Plate at Flemington and the 150th running of the Caulfield Cup.
The Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) is the headline event on the opening day, with Mr Brightside, Jimmysstar and defending champion Treasurethe Moment among the leading names set to contest the first Group 1 of the spring.
Racing Victoria chief executive Aaron Morrison said the carnival remained one of the state’s major sporting and economic events.
“The Spring Racing Carnival is a major cultural and economic asset for Victoria bringing together communities and driving investment in our state,” Morrison said.
“Our Spring Racing Carnival is home to the most watched, wagered and attended race meetings in Australia and in the months ahead we’re looking to continue the growth in audiences and engagement that Victorian racing has enjoyed across recent years.”
More than 600,000 people attended meetings during the 2025 carnival, with Racing Victoria reporting growth among female racegoers and those aged under 35.
The carnival is estimated to generate $785 million in economic activity for Victoria each year, with its reach extending well beyond Melbourne through 26 country cup meetings.
“The Spring Racing Carnival is built on rich heritage that has stood the test of time,” Morrison said.
“Every spring creates new heroes, from champion racehorses and jockeys to trainers, stable staff and owners who fulfill lifelong dreams. We also see friendships rekindled trackside as people emerge from winter, dress up, enjoy brilliant raceday experiences and hospitality, and just have some fun.”
Cox Plate heads to Flemington
One of the biggest changes in the carnival’s history will take place on October 24 when the $6 million Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) is run at Flemington for the first time.
The weight-for-age championship has been moved from its traditional Moonee Valley home while the racecourse undergoes an extensive redevelopment.
Flemington is synonymous with the Melbourne Cup and has staged all 165 previous editions of Australia’s most famous race, but the Victoria Racing Club will now temporarily add the Cox Plate to its spring schedule.
“This year’s Spring Racing Carnival offers a new look with The Valley under reconstruction,” Morrison said.
“There is enormous anticipation for the first Cox Plate at Flemington prior to Melbourne Cup Week, while the relocated Manikato Stakes at Caulfield is going to cap off a huge AFL Grand Final weekend in Melbourne.”
Cox Plate Day will also include the $750,000 Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m), which will provide the final golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup.
The following week attention remains at Flemington for Melbourne Cup Week, headlined by the $10.2 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) on Tuesday, November 3.
Caulfield Cup celebrates 150th edition
Caulfield will play an expanded role this spring and will stage the 150th edition of the Caulfield Cup on October 17.
The historic 2400m handicap will carry record prizemoney of $6 million plus trophies and headline an entire program of black-type racing.
“We’re also celebrating the 150th edition of the Caulfield Cup, an iconic Australian handicap that will feature record prizemoney of $6 million to commemorate the occasion,” Morrison said.
“Caulfield is where the carnival begins with what is shaping to be one of the strongest editions of the Group 1 Memsie Stakes in history.”
Caulfield will also host the relocated Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) on Sunday, September 27, the day after the AFL Grand Final.
Sandown is another beneficiary of Moonee Valley’s redevelopment. It will stage its first Group 1 meeting since 2023 when the Moonee Valley Racing Club hosts the Moir Stakes (1000m) there on September 5.
Sandown will also pick up two transferred November meetings while Caulfield undergoes a track renovation following its Cup meeting. Its November 14 card will include the Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) and Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m).
Away from the metropolitan tracks, 26 country cups will be staged across Victoria, including meetings at Bendigo and Geelong and once-a-year fixtures at Dunkeld and Mt Wycheproof.
“We’re equally excited about the 26 country cups that will take us to all corners of Victoria this spring and drive investment into the regions,” Morrison said.
“For many of our regional communities, the local Cup is one of the biggest days of the year and part of their fabric, bringing together volunteers, businesses, families and visitors.”
The carnival will also feature significant off-track entertainment, with Robbie Williams booked to perform on Melbourne Cup Day and Australian DJ FISHER returning for Champions Stakes Day at Flemington on November 7.
The Victorian spring concludes at Warrnambool on November 29 with the Jericho Cup, Australia’s longest flat race at 4600m.
Morrison said Racing Victoria would again maintain the veterinary protocols introduced for the Melbourne Cup and other major races.
“As always, the welfare of every horse and jockey competing across the carnival is at the forefront of our minds,” he said.
“Five years ago, we introduced world leading safety standards for the Melbourne Cup and other premier races with positive outcomes, and we will be maintaining our veterinary protocols again this year.”
