Spring Racing Carnival
The best of Australian racing: Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and the carnival build-up.
The Spring Racing Carnival is the highlight of the Australian racing calendar. From September to November, Melbourne and Victoria host a series of Group 1 and feature races that attract the best horses from Australia and overseas. The carnival builds through the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate before reaching its peak on the first Tuesday in November with the Melbourne Cup at Flemington.
Caulfield hosts the Caulfield Cup (2400m) and a string of Group 1s in October. Moonee Valley then stages the Cox Plate (2040m), Australia's premier weight-for-age race, typically on the Saturday before the Melbourne Cup. Flemington takes over for Melbourne Cup week: the Derby, Oaks, and finally the Melbourne Cup itself, the race that stops a nation. Results, fields, odds, and tips for every major spring race are available on Race.com.au so you can follow the carnival from the first Group 1 to the last.
Whether you are planning a day at the track, having a Melbourne Cup sweep, or simply following the form, our Spring Carnival coverage keeps you across every key race. Use our Melbourne Cup results page for past winners and dividends, and our feature race pages for Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup fields and odds. The Australian racing calendar has the full list of dates so you never miss a big race.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Spring Racing Carnival?
The Spring Racing Carnival runs from September to November, featuring the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.
What are the main Spring Carnival races?
The big three are the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup. Flemington, Caulfield and Moonee Valley host the major meetings.
When is the Melbourne Cup run?
The Melbourne Cup is run on the first Tuesday in November at Flemington. See our When is the Melbourne Cup page for the exact date each year.