Horse Racing in Melbourne

Horse Racing

Melbourne is the only city in the world to declare a public holiday for a horse race -- the Melbourne Cup -- held on the first Tuesday in November since 1861. The Cup is also a fashion parade, and most of Melbourne society turns out in full regalia. The rest of the country comes to a standstill, with schools, shops, offices, and factories tuning in to the action.

The city has four top-class racetracks. Caulfield Race Course (Station St., Caulfield. 03/9257-7200), 10 km (6 mi) from the city, runs the Blue Diamond in February and the Caulfield Cup in October. Flemington Race Course (Epsom Rd., Flemington. 03/9371-7171), 3 km (2 mi) outside the city, is Australia's premier racecourse and home of the Melbourne Cup. Moonee Valley Race Course (McPherson St., Moonee Ponds. 03/9373-2222) is 6 km (4 mi) from town and holds the Cox Plate race in October. Sandown Race Course (Racecourse Dr., Springvale. 03/9518-1300), 25 km (16 mi) from the city, hosts the Sandown Cup in November. Champions-Australian Racing Museum and Hall of Fame (Flinders St., City Center. 1300/139407) is chock-full of horse-racing information.