Australian Racing Calendar

01Spring (September–November)

The Melbourne Spring Carnival is the jewel: the Turnbull Stakes kicks things off in late September/early October, followed by the Caulfield Guineas and Caulfield Cup, The Everest and Cox Plate, then Derby Day, the Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday of November, Oaks Day and Champions Day. Sydney's Everest carnival runs in parallel at Randwick.

02Autumn (February–April)

Sydney takes centre stage: the Apollo Stakes and Chipping Norton lead to the Galaxy and Golden Slipper in March at Rosehill, then the Doncaster Mile, Tancred Stakes, Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Sydney Cup crown The Championships at Randwick in April. In Melbourne, the Blue Diamond Stakes and Australian Guineas highlight February.

03Winter (May–August)

Queensland's winter carnival at Doomben and Eagle Farm peaks with the Doomben 10,000, Doomben Cup and Stradbroke Handicap in May–June. Adelaide's carnival features the Goodwood and SA Derby, Perth stages the WA Derby and Winterbottom, and Victorian country racing comes alive with cups season through June–August.

04Greyhound and harness highlights

Greyhound Group 1s include the Golden Easter Egg (Wentworth Park), the Melbourne Cup for greyhounds (The Meadows, November) and the Brisbane Cup (Albion Park). Harness racing's Inter Dominion rotates states in December, with the Miracle Mile at Menangle and the Hunter Cup at Melton the other majors.

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