Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival 2021
The Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival is the highlight of Australia's racing year, bringing together the best Australian and International thoroughbreds for 50 days of world-class horse racing action.
Spring racing produces a carnival like atmosphere which brings the city of Melbourne to life during spring time.
Melbourne's major racing carnival each spring is the four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington Racecourse in early November. Flemington is home to Melbourne Cup Day, Australia's biggest race day, on the first Tuesday in November each year.
In October, the three-day Caulfield Cup carnival kicks off big-time racing at Caulfield Racecourse, with WS Cox Plate day upping the ante the following week at Moonee Valley Racecourse.
Sandown Classic day rounds at the metropolitan spring carnival at Sandown Racecourse in November, one week after the Flemington carnival ends on Mackinnon Stakes day.
The new racing season kicks off in early August with the Aurie's Star Handicap, the first group race of the new season. The first Group 1 race takes place in late August with the running of the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield.
Spring Carnival Feature Races
Several high quality feature races take place in the early spring. Then we get to the important Caulfield, Moonee Valley and Flemington racing carnivals in late October and early November.
The Caulfield Cup is the second of the big spring distance races. It's a tough Group 1 handicap event over 2400m that takes place in October at Caulfield racecourse. The Caulfield Cup forms part of the big feature spring cups double with the Melbourne Cup.
Moonee Valley racecourse is home to the Group 1 WS Cox Plate over 2040m in October. The Cox Plate is recognised far and wide as the weight-for-age championship of Australasia and takes place one week after the Caulfield Cup.
The jewel in the spring racing carnival's crown is Australia's most famous race, the time-honoured Melbourne Cup. Our greatest race is always run on the first Tuesday in November over a distance of 3200m (2 miles) at Flemington racecourse in Melbourne.
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2021 Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival Guide
| Saturday 10th July 2021, Caulfield, VIC | ||||
| Status | Race Name | Prize Money | Distance | Race Type |
| Group 3 | Sir John Monash Stakes | $135,000 | 1100m | WFA |
| Saturday 24th July 2021, Caulfield, VIC | ||||
| Status | Race Name | Prize Money | Distance | Race Type |
| Group 3 | Bletchingly Stakes | $150,000 | 1200m | Weight-for-age |
| Saturday 7th August 2021, Flemington, VIC | ||||
| Status | Race Name | Prize Money | Distance | Race Type |
| Group 3 | Auries Star Handicap | $200,000 | 1200m | Open Hcp |
| Saturday 14th August 2021, Caulfield, VIC | ||||
| Status | Race Name | Prize Money | Distance | Race Type |
| Group 2 | PB Lawrence Stakes | $300,000 | 1400m | WFA |
| Group 3 | Vain Stakes | $200,000 | 1100m | 3yoC&G SW+P |
| Group 3 | Quezette Stakes | $200,000 | 1100m | 3yoF SW+P |
| Saturday 28th August 2021, Caulfield, VIC | ||||
| Status | Race Name | Prize Money | Distance | Race Type |
| Group 1 | Memsie Stakes | $750,000 | 1400m | WFA |
| Group 3 | The Heath 1100 | $160,000 | 1100m | 4yo&Up SW + P |
| Group 3 | HDF McNeil Stakes | $150,000 | 1200m | 3yo SW+P |
| Group 3 | Cockram Stakes | $150,000 | 1200m | Mares SW+P |
| Saturday 4th September 2021, Moonee Valley, VIC | ||||
| Status | Race Name | Prize Money | Distance | Race Type |
| Group 2 | Feehan Stakes | $500,000 | 1600m | WFA |
| Group 2 | McEwen Stakes | $300,000 | 1000m | WFA |
| Saturday 11th September 2021, Flemington, VIC | ||||
| Status | Race Name | Prize Money | Distance | Race Type |
| Group 1 | Makybe Diva Stakes | $750,000 | 1600m | WFA |
| Group 2 | Lets Elope Stakes | $200,000 | 1400m | Mares SW+P |
| Group 3 | Bobbie Lewis Quality | $200,000 | 1200m | Quality Hcp |
| Saturday 18th September 2021, Caulfield, VIC | ||||
| Status | Race Name | Prize Money | Distance | Race Type |
| Group 1 | Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes | $750,000 | 1400m | Open Hcp |
| Group 2 | Thousand Guineas Prelude | $300,000 | 1400m | 3yoF SW+P |
| Group 3 | Caulfield Guineas Prelude | $300,000 | 1400m | 3yoC&G SW+P |
| Group 3 | How Now Stakes | $200,000 | 1200m | Mares SW+P |
| Group 3 | Naturalism Stakes | $150,000 | 2000m | Open Hcp |
| Friday 24th September 2021, Moonee Valley, VIC | ||||
| Status | Race Name | Prize Money | Distance | Race Type |
| Group 1 | AJ Moir Stakes | $1,000,000 | 1000m | WFA |
| Group 2 | WH Stocks Stakes | $300,000 | 1600m | Mares WFA |
| Group 2 | Stutt Stakes | $300,000 | 1600m | 3yo Open SW |
| Group 3 | JRA Cup | $200,000 | 2040m | Open Hcp |
| Group 3 | Champagne Stakes | $200,000 | 1200m | 3yoF SW |
| Sunday 26th September 2021, Sandown, VIC | ||||
| Status | Race Name | Prize Money | Distance | Race Type |
| Group 1 | Underwood Stakes | $750,000 | 1800m | WFA |
| Group 3 | Sandown Stakes | $200,000 | 1500m | Quality Hcp |
| Saturday 2nd October 2021, Flemington, VIC | ||||
| Status | Race Name | Prize Money | Distance | Race Type |
| Group 1 | Turnbull Stakes | $750,000 | 2000m | 4yo+ SW+P |
| Group 2 | Gilgai Stakes | $300,000 | 1200m | 3yo+ SW+P |
| Group 2 | Edward Manifold Stakes | $300,000 | 1600m | 3yoF SW |
| Group 2 | Rose Of Kingston Stakes | $300,000 | 1400m | Mares SW+P |
| Group 2 | Danehill Stakes | $300,000 | 1200m | 3yo SW+P |
| Group 3 | The Bart Cummings | $500,000 | 2500m | Quality Hcp |
| Saturday 9th October 2021, Caulfield, VIC | ||||
| Status | Race Name | Prize Money | Distance | Race Type |
| Group 1 | Caulfield Guineas | $2,000,000 | 1600m | 3yo Open SW |
| Group 1 | Toorak Handicap | $1,000,000 | 1600m | Open Hcp |
| Group 1 | Caulfield Stakes | $1,000,000 | 2000m | WFA |
| Group 2 | Schillaci Stakes | $300,000 | 1100m | WFA |
| Group 2 | Herbert Power Stakes | $300,000 | 2400m | Quality Hcp |
| Group 3 | Northwood Plume Stakes | $200,000 | 1200m | Mares - SW+P |
| Group 3 | Thoroughbred Club Stakes | $200,000 | 1200m | 3yoF SW+P |
| Wednesday 13th October 2021, Caulfield, VIC | ||||
| Status | Race Name | Prize Money | Distance | Race Type |
| Group 1 | Thousand Guineas | $1,000,000 | 1600m | 3yoF Open SW |
| Group 3 | Ladies Day Vase | $200,000 | 1600m | Mares - SW+P |
| Group 3 | Blue Sapphire Stakes | $200,000 | 1200m | 3yo SW |
| Group 3 | Coongy Handicap | $200,000 | 2000m | Open Hcp |
| Saturday 16th October 2021, Caulfield, VIC | ||||
| Status | Race Name | Prize Money | Distance | Race Type |
| Group 1 | Caulfield Cup | $5,000,000 | 2400m | Open Hcp |
| Group 2 | Tristarc Stakes | $300,000 | 1400m | Mares SW+P |
| Group 2 | Caulfield Sprint | $300,000 | 1100m | Open Hcp |
| Group 3 | Moonga Stakes | $200,000 | 1400m | 4yo+ SW+P |
| Group 3 | Ethereal Stakes | $200,000 | 2000m | 3yoF SW+P |
| Group 3 | Caulfield Classic | $200,000 | 2000m | 3yo Open SW |
| Wednesday 20th October 2021, Geelong, VIC | ||||
| Status | Race Name | Prize Money | Distance | Race Type |
| Group 3 | Geelong Cup | $400,000 | 2400m | Open Hcp |
| Friday 22nd October 2021, Moonee Valley, VIC | ||||
| Status | Race Name | Prize Money | Distance | Race Type |
| Group 1 | Manikato Stakes | $1,000,000 | 1200m | WFA |
| Saturday 23rd October 2021, Moonee Valley, VIC | ||||
| Status | Race Name | Prize Money | Distance | Race Type |
| Group 1 | WS Cox Plate | $5,000,000 | 2040m | WFA |
| Group 2 | Moonee Valley Cup | $500,000 | 2500m | 4yo+ SW+P |
| Group 2 | Crystal Mile | $300,000 | 1600m | WFA |
| Group 2 | Moonee Valley Vase | $300,000 | 2040m | 3yo SW |
| Group 2 | Moonee Valley Oaks | $300,000 | 1600m | 3yoF SW |
| Group 3 | Inglis Mile | $200,000 | 1600m | 4yo+ Mares Hcp |
| Group 3 | Red Anchor Stakes | $150,000 | 1200m | 3yo Sw+P |
| Wednesday 27th October 2021, Bendigo, VIC | ||||
| Status | Race Name | Prize Money | Distance | Race Type |
| Group 3 | Bendigo Cup | $400,000 | 2400m | Open Hcp |
| Saturday 30th October 2021, Flemington, VIC | ||||
| Status | Race Name | Prize Money | Distance | Race Type |
| Group 1 | Victoria Derby | $2,000,000 | 2500m | 3yo SW |
| Group 1 | Cantala Stakes | $2,000,000 | 1600m | Quality Hcp |
| Group 1 | Empire Rose Stakes | $1,000,000 | 1600m | F&M WFA |
| Group 1 | Coolmore Stud Stakes | $1,000,000 | 1200m | 3yo SW |
| Group 2 | Linlithgow Stakes | $300,000 | 1200m | Open Hcp |
| Group 2 | Wakeful Stakes | $300,000 | 2000m | 3yoF SW+P |
| Group 3 | Carbine Club Stakes | $500,000 | 1600m | 3yo SW+P |
| Group 3 | Hotham Handicap | $300,000 | 2500m | Quality Hcp |
| Group 3 | Begonia Belle Stakes | $200,000 | 1100m | Mares - SW+P |
| Tuesday 2nd November 2021, Flemington, VIC | ||||
| Status | Race Name | Prize Money | Distance | Race Type |
| Group 1 | Melbourne Cup | $8,000,000 | 3200m | Open Hcp |
| Group 3 | Maybe Mahal Stakes | $200,000 | 1400m | F&M SW+P |
| Group 3 | Ottawa Stakes | $200,000 | 1000m | 2yoF SW |
| Thursday 4th November 2021, Flemington, VIC | ||||
| Status | Race Name | Prize Money | Distance | Race Type |
| Group 1 | VRC Oaks | $1,000,000 | 2500m | 3yoF SW |
| Group 3 | Red Roses Stakes | $300,000 | 1000m | 3yoF SW+P |
| Group 3 | Maribyrnong Plate | $200,000 | 1000m | 2yo SW |
| Saturday 6th November 2021, Flemington, VIC | ||||
| Status | Race Name | Prize Money | Distance | Race Type |
| Group 1 | VRC Sprint Classic | $2,000,000 | 1200m | WFA |
| Group 1 | Emirates Stakes | $2,000,000 | 2000m | WFA |
| Group 2 | Matriarch Stakes | $300,000 | 2000m | Mares SW+P |
| Group 3 | VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes | $300,000 | 2600m | Quality Hcp |
| Group 3 | Chatham Stakes | $200,000 | 1400m | Open Hcp |
| Saturday 13th November 2021, Cranbourne, VIC | ||||
| Status | Race Name | Prize Money | Distance | Race Type |
| Listed | Cranbourne Cup | $500,000 | 1600m | Open Hcp |
| Listed | Ballarat Cup | $500,000 | 2000m | Open Hcp |
| Saturday 27th November 2021, Caulfield, VIC | ||||
| Status | Race Name | Prize Money | Distance | Race Type |
| Group 2 | Sandown Classic | $750,000 | 2400m | 2yo+ Open WFA |
| Group 2 | Sandown Guineas | $300,000 | 1600m | 3yo SW |
| Group 3 | Eclipse Stakes | $200,000 | 1800m | Quality Hcp |
| Group 3 | Kevin Heffernan Stakes | $200,000 | 1300m | WFA |
| Group 3 | Summoned Stakes | $200,000 | 1500m | Mares - SW+P |
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Other Australian Racing Carnivals
Carnivals below include the Melbourne autumn carnival, Sydney autumn and spring carnivals, plus Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Tasmania, and the Gold Coast Magic Millions in Queensland.
Melbourne autumn racing carnival
Brisbane winter racing carnival
Adelaide autumn racing carnival
Spring Racing Carnival Prize Money Increases
In August 2019, Racing Victoria announced a huge prize money boost for the spring racing carnival in Victoria.
A record 16 races now offer prize money of $1 million or more, plus 21 Group 1 races headlining the carnival from September to November.
Country racing also benefit with prize money increases to major Country Cups, including the Ballarat Cup, Cranbourne Cup, Geelong Cup and Bendigo Cup.
A Cox Plate bonus and Jockey bonus were also announced, amongst others, further boosting the excitement factor of Australia's best racing carnival.
Cox Plate Bonus
Any horse that has won or wins the following Victorian feature races in 2019 and the 2019 Cox Plate will be eligible for a $1 million bonus.
| The All-Star Mile | Australian Guineas | Australian Cup |
| Alister Clark Stakes | Memsie Stakes | Makybe Diva Stakes |
| Feehan Stakes | Underwood Stakes | Turnbull Stakes |
| Toorak Handicap | Caulfield Guineas | Thousand Guineas |
| Caulfield Stakes |
Three Year Old Bonus (One)
Any three-year-old that contests the following races and wins the 2021 Cox Plate is eligible for a $1 million bonus.
- Stutt Stakes (1600m) - Moonee Valley (Sep 25)
- Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) - Caulfield (Sep 27)
- Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) - Caulfield (Sep 27)
- Caulfield Guineas (1600m) - Caulfield (Oct 10)
- Thousand Guineas (1600m) - Caulfield (Oct 10)
Three Year Old Bonus (Two)
Any three-year-old that contests the following races and wins the $500,000 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Derby Day is eligible for a $1 million bonus.
- Stutt Stakes (1600m) - Moonee Valley (Sep 25)
- Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) - Caulfield (Sep 27)
- Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) - Caulfield (Sep 27)
- Caulfield Guineas (1600m) - Caulfield (Oct 10)
- Thousand Guineas (1600m) - Caulfield (Oct 10)
Three Year Old Bonus (Three)
Any three-year-old that places first, second or third in the $500,000 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) in October at Caulfield and wins the $1,500,000 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Derby Day is eligible for a $500,000 bonus.
Cantala Stakes Bonus
Any horse that places in the following two races and wins the $2,000,000 Cantala Stakes on Derby Day will be eligible for a $500,000 bonus.
- Toorak Handicap (1600m) - Caulfield (Sep 10)
- Crystal Mile (1600m) - Moonee Valley (Oct 24)
Country Cup Prize Money Increases
Ballarat Cup Day received a major spring boost with prize money increased from $350,000 to $500,000 making it the Australia's richest country cup.
The race itself is now 2000m, reduced from 2200m, and the popular raceday falls on the final day of the spring racing carnival on on Saturday 23rd November 2019.
All nine races on Ballarat Cup Day offer minimum prize money of $125,000, while the Magic Millions 2YO Clockwise Classic (1000m) increased from $200,000 to $250,000. The Magic Millions 3&4YO Classic (1100m) also increased, from $100,000 to $150,000.
Other Country Cup prize money increases include the following three races.
- Cranbourne Cup (2025m) - $400,000 (up $50,000)
- Geelong Cup (2400m) - $400,000 (up $50,000)
- Bendigo Cup (2400m) - $400,000 (up $50,000)
The Melbourne spring racing carnival in Victoria is where the best racehorses gather for spring!
Star of the Saddle
Along with the prize money increases, the 'Star of the Saddle' series was also announced, recognising and rewarding those jockeys who achieve distinction during the spring racing carnival.
The following cash prizes are on offer for the jockey who is the Star of the Saddle', and accruing the most points on each day.
- Turnbull Stakes Day - Flemington (Oct 3) - $50,000
- Caulfield Guineas Day - Caulfield (October 10) - $50,000
- Caulfield Cup Day - Caulfield (Oct 17) - $100,000
- Cox Plate Carnival - Moonee Valley (Oct 23-24) - $100,000 - (Brent Thomson Jockey Challenge)
- Victoria Derby Day - Flemington (Oct 31) - $100,000
Star of the Saddle conditions are released prior to the commencement of the spring racing carnival.
Legend
2yo: Two-year-old
2yoC&G: Two-year-old Colts and Geldings
2yoF: Two-year-old Fillies
2yo&Up: Two-year-old horses and Upwards
3yo: Three-year-old
3yoC&G: Three-year-old Colts and Geldings
3yoF: Three-year-old Fillies
3yo&Up: Three-year-old an upwards
F&M: Fillies and Mares
Mares: Four-year-old and up female horses
SW+Pen: Set Weights + Penalty
Open Hcp: Open Handicap
Qlty Hcp: Quality Handicap
WFA: Weight-for-age
Gr 1: Group 1 race
Gr 2: Group 2 race
Gr 3: Group 3 race
LR: Listed race
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