Stakes Day

Stakes Day, or ‘Family Day’, is a popular thoroughbred horse race held annually in the Spring Racing Carnival at Flemington Racecourse.

The Melbourne Cup is the premier event of the Spring Racing Carnival. It is held on the first Tuesday in November each year and is considered so important that it’s been designated a public holiday in Victoria. The other races are scheduled around the Melbourne Cup date accordingly.

VRC Champions Stakes Day is the guaranteed good time, with world-class racing the highlight of the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

The much-loved final day of Carnival, TAB Champions Stakes Day rounds out the Melbourne Cup Carnival with no fewer than three Group 1 features that showcase the stars of Australian turf over 1200m, 1600m and 2000m.

A spectacular nine-race program is just the beginning—with endless activities for kids, parents, and every other kind of race-lover, whether young or old.

The feature races of the day are:

• $3m Group 1 TAB Champions Stakes (2000m)
• $3m Group 1 VRC Champions Mile (1600m)
• $3m Group 1 Darley Champions Sprint (1200m)

Bring your family and friends for a day out that combines sensational world-class racing with a relaxed atmosphere. With endless activities for kids and adults, you can enjoy the thrill of the races while still kicking back and having a good time.

Great food and drinks, perfect for a casual day out, will be available in the stellar restaurants and bars. Higher-end fares, too, will be available. Plenty of entertainment options will keep everyone engaged, laughing, and dancing throughout the day.

Food and drinks can be purchased at the race track; however, many racegoers bring a picnic to the venue. Betting is a favourite past-time, so bring some extra cash to place a bet on Australia’s biggest races.

General Admission

Your General Admission ticket also includes The Park – where you can enjoy all the live music acts on The Live Stage, Fashions on the Field, Melbourne’s best food trucks, refreshing drinks and relaxed seating areas in front of the big screen.

• Free entry to The Park – enjoy Melbourne’s best pop-up restaurants serving delicious takeaway as the live racing action continues on the big screen.
• Access to the Fashion Garden, home of Flemington’s iconic Fashions on the Field competition.
• Access to The Park Live Stage, with some of Australia’s hottest musicians headlining each day of Carnival.
• The Club Lawn Hotel provides access to the famous Flemington Front Lawn, which features racing action and delicious bites.

Getting There

Public transport to Stakes Day is plentiful, with trains that run direct and trams stopping only a short walk away. Special trains run directly to Flemington Racecourse on race days. Trains to Flemington Racecourse depart at Flinders Street Station, Southern Cross Station and North Melbourne Station. You can also catch the #57 Maribyrnong tram from the Elizabeth Street/Flinders Street intersection and alight at Flemington Drive.

Dress Code

There are no dress regulations for general admission ticket holders. However, wear your favourite casual or race-day attire for a fun day at the races.

The official flower for Stakes Day is the Red Rose. Flowers can be purchased from flower sellers near the entrances upon arrival to Flemington.

Friends, fun, and the finale of Cup Week, Stakes Day is a day at Flemington that is not to be missed!