Flemington Racing Spectacular continues with Super Saturday

The Victoria Racing Club’s (VRC) largest race day outside of the Melbourne Cup Carnival features the $1.5 million Group 1 Yulong Stud Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at 3:40pm and the 160th running of the $1.5 million Group 1 TAB Australian Cup (2000m) at 4:20pm.

The milestone Australian Cup will feature Group 1 winners Think It Over, Cascadian, Duais and Callsign Mav up against Lexus Melbourne Cup placegetter Spanish Mission and one-time favourite for ‘the race that stops the nation’™ Surprise Baby.

The world’s richest sprinting handicap, the Yulong Stud Newmarket Handicap, will see Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) winner Home Affairs attempt to become the 15th horse to complete the prestigious Flemington sprint double.

Standing in his way are 16 top-class rivals including topweight Masked Crusader, last year’s victor Zoutori and dual Group 1 winner Levante, who is aiming to become the first New Zealand-trained Newmarket Handicap champion.

The two features are backed up by six other stakes races, including the Group 2 TAB Kewney Stakes (1400m) and the Group 2 MSS Security Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) – a race that last year produced Penfolds Victoria Derby and Australian Guineas hero Hitotsu, as well as Alegron, Lightsaber, Paulele and Forgot You.

Special guests on the day will include VRC Ambassador Crystal Kimber and Olympians Amanda Ross and Shane Rose. Shane competed at Tokyo 2020 as part of the Australian eventing team where they won silver.

The VRC will showcase champion retired racehorses from Living Legends, with Australian Cup winners Zipping (2010) and Harlem (2018/19) to parade in the Mounting Yard after Race 2 (approximately 1:20pm) and Race 4 (approximately 2:30pm).

The carnival atmosphere of the Flemington Fareground returns after a popular debut at Australian Guineas Race Day last weekend.

Racegoers' senses will be tantalised by the aromas floating up from the gourmet pop-ups including Nico’s Deli, Dan’s Empanadas, Calendar Cheese and the Country Women’s Association.

The young and the young at heart can take a spin on one of the vintage carnival rides, peruse the makers’ markets and enjoy live entertainment in the new precinct that is free for all racegoers to enjoy.

Australian indie-rock royalty the Jungle Giants will headline the Party After The Last series on the Front Lawn after performing sold-out headline tours across Australia.

Racegoers can pre-purchase tickets via Ticketek.com.au with prices starting at $15 per person for general admission tickets.

Gates open at 11:05am with Race 1 at 12:35pm and the last race 5:35pm.

The action continues next weekend with The Seppelt Wines All-Star Mile, the final day of the Flemington Racing Spectacular.

Everyone who attends Flemington on the race day, Saturday 19 March, and scans the QR code before 1:40pm will go into the draw to be an All-Star Mile Owner Ambassador with a chance to win $250,000.  *T&Cs apply.