Ad Lunar Flare ridden by Michael Dee wins the Lexus Andrew Ramsden at Flemington Racecourse on May 13, 2023 (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)

Final six race days on-sale for 23/24 racing season

2 April 2024 Written by VRC

With six heart-pounding race days left for the 2023/24 racing season, there’s lots of wonderful experiences for Flemington racegoers to look forward to this racing season.

ANZAC Day Race Day - Thursday 25 April

Join us for the popular ANZAC Day Race Day on Thursday 25 April, as we pay homage to the men and women who have served our country, as well as the important role horses played during wartime. From moving ceremonies to captivating heritage displays and the traditional game of Two-Up, it's a day filled with honour and commemoration.

ANZAC Day Race Day is headlined by the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) for three-year-olds, a race older than the Lexus Melbourne Cup that includes champion winners like Phar Lap and Tulloch.

Our annual ANZAC Day ceremony provides racegoers with the opportunity to pay their respects. This includes the laying of wreaths, reading of The Ode, playing of The Last Post, observing a minute of silence, and playing The Rouse. Both the Australian and New Zealand National Anthems will also be performed as part of this important ceremony.

Continuing its legacy at Flemington, Two-Up will once again take place on the Front Lawn. Flemington hosted the very first legal Two-up game on ANZAC Day Race Day in 1991. This simple game of chance involves tossing pennies and betting on the outcome.

Attendees can also enjoy heritage displays across the course and witness the annual tug-of-war between jockeys and the kids. To support the ANZAC Appeal, pin sellers will be on-site selling commemorative ANZAC Day Pins, with fundraising activities taking place across the course.

All profits on ANZAC Day Race Day will go to the ANZAC Day Proceeds Fund on behalf of the Victoria Racing Club.

 

Andrew Ramsden Race Day - Saturday 18 May

The Road to the Melbourne Cup continues with Andrew Ramsden Race Day, with the winner of the feature Listed race earning a ‘Golden Ticket’ into the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup. 

Andrew Ramsden (1934 - 2013) made an enormous contribution to the VRC, where he served on the Committee for 21 years holding positions of Honorary Treasurer, Vice Chairman, and Chairman (1998 - 2003). The name of the race is in honour of his contribution to the VRC and his passion for staying races.

VRC members are reminded to make the most of their Complimentary Daily Guest Tickets before they expire at the end of July 2024. Members can access these tickets via Ticketmaster, by entering the barcode numbers provided as part of the 2023/24 Membership Pack. More information here.


VRC Community Race Day - Saturday 8 June

Acknowledging the residents, businesses and organisations of our local community. This meeting marks the first day of our Winter Racing series as we head into the final four race days of the 2023/24 racing season.

We are proud to welcome back our community charity partner for the day, the Good Friday Appeal – a charity that raises money to enable The Royal Children’s Hospital to provide world class care for our children.


VRC Country Race Day - Saturday 22 June

Flemington is proud to celebrate the important contribution made by country racing. 

With 54 provincial and country race clubs around the state, the VRC Country Race Day provides a central point for members and racegoers of regional venues to gather in celebration of their local club.

Country and Provincial Members (along with one guest) enjoy complimentary entry into the Members Enclosure. Simply present your Country Race Day Membership pass at the Members Services Window upon entry to the racecourse.


Flemington Finals Race Day - Saturday 6 July

The culmination of nine different heats run across Victoria throughout the winter.

With options for all ages and at a variety of distances, it is a good forerunner to the spring with the races producing Group 1 winners and Lexus Melbourne Cup runners in recent years. 

The meeting is headlined by the Listed Winter Championship Final (1600m), the Listed Santa Ana Lane Sprint Series Final (1200m) and the Listed Taj Rossi Series Final (1600m) for two-year-olds.

The Family Bistro is back in The View for VRC Members and is blasting off into a whole new dimension with an 'Otherworldly' theme! Mark your calendars and bring the whole family for a day of intergalactic fun at the Family Bistro! It's an out-of-this-world experience you won't want to miss.

VRC Members Race Day - Saturday 20 July

Celebrating VRC Members as we close out another memorable season at HQ. 

The 2023/24 racing season ends with the traditional VRC Members Race Day – a special meeting to acknowledge and celebrate our VRC members for their wonderful support and loyalty.  

This meeting plays host to The Byerley Handicap (1800m) – a coveted event for owners and trainers who will be seeking ballot exempt path for their two-year-olds into the Penfolds Victoria Derby or the VRC Oaks.

Also on the card, the Deane Lester Flemington Cup (2800m) 1849 – a race 12 years older than the Lexus Melbourne Cup – gives stayers another chance to go for gold at Headquarters.