Racing Calendar Out Now
Racing Victoria have announced race dates for the 2023-2024 racing season, with the VRC set to host 22 premium race meetings at Flemington from 1 August 2023 – 31 July 2024, including 10 Group 1 race days.
The VRC’s global event, the four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival will be run in November and commences with Penfolds Victoria Derby Day on Saturday 4 November. It continues with Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday 7 November, Kennedy Oaks Day on Thursday 9 November and TAB Champions Stakes Day on Saturday 11 November.
The most significant change to the Flemington race program is the move of the annual Resimax Group Rapid Racing meeting to a mid-week December time slot.
Previously scheduled in January, Resimax Group Rapid Racing will be held just five days out from Christmas on Wednesday 20 December to enable the straight racing concept to be a pre-Christmas format.
Other important race dates to note include:
- The standalone TAB Australian Cup Day, which was highly successful in its first year in 2023 with more than 11,000 people on track. TAB Australian Cup Day will again form the final day of the Flemington Racing Spectacular in March which begins with Australian Guineas Day on 2 March and includes Super Saturday on 9 March.
- Traditional public holiday meetings will continue to be run at Flemington with New Year’s Day Race Day on 1 January and ANZAC Day Race Day on 25 April.
VRC Members and racing fans will note that there is one less meeting next season to reduce the workload on the Flemington course proper, given the shorter break between TAB Australian Cup Day and ANZAC Day Race Day.
This will ensure Senior Manager Flemington Racecourse Liam O’Keeffe and his team continue to provide one of the world’s fairest and safest racing surfaces.
VRC Chief Executive Officer Steve Rosich said the new-season race dates give VRC members and racing fans something to plan and look forward to, including 14 Group 1 races.
“The 2023-2024 race day schedule at Flemington provides 22 opportunities for guests to attend Flemington and take in world-class racing, hospitality and entertainment,” Mr Rosich said.
“In consultation with Racing Victoria, the decision was made to move Resimax Group Rapid Racing to a new December timeslot to encourage people to get trackside and enjoy their end of year celebrations.
“Lexus Melbourne Cup Day remains the jewel in the crown of racing at Flemington but the calendar is full of both tradition and innovation.
“The Flemington track will be able to be preserved to the highest standard with scheduled maintenance at two intervals during the season, the first following the Melbourne Cup Carnival and the second after TAB Australian Cup Day.
“The VRC still has five race days to run in the 2022-23 season and looks forward to seeing guests make the most of the winter months at racing Headquarters.”
