Flemington set for super month of racing

2 March 2022 • Written by VRC

The Victoria Racing Club’s (VRC) autumn celebrations kicked off today with a fun filled preview of all the finest food, wine, entertainment and racing Melburnians can expect over the next three weekends as part of the Flemington Racing Spectacular.

As part of today’s festivities, the VRC provided a sneak peak of the brand new Flemington Fareground precinct, which will be free for all racegoers across the Flemington Racing Spectacular and see the leafy Elms area transformed into an outdoor extravaganza featuring a 16-metre high ferris wheel, delicious food from some of Melbourne’s best including Nico's Sandwich Deli, Dan’s Empanada Bar and the Country Women’s Association, plus drinks stalls and much more.

Australian Guineas Day Family ambassadors, four time Hawthorn premiership player Jordan Lewis, his wife Lucy and their twins Ollie and Hughie were on hand to delight in the fun and frivolity of the fareground today including taking a spin on the ferris wheel.

The Seppelt Wines All-Star Mile Ambassadors Tammin Sursok and Rebecca Harding also took part in a special Seppelt toast while VRC Ambassador Crystal Kimber-Peters taste tested some of the CWA’s famous scones, which racegoers can enjoy across all three autumn race days.

VRC Chief Executive Officer Steve Rosich provided an update on the VRC’s crowd expectations across the Flemington Racing Spectacular and how the club is enticing racegoers back to Flemington with great ticket deals starting at just $20.

Leading trainer David Eustace also joined Victoria’s premiership leading jockey Damian Lane in the Mounting Yard to discuss their chances in the feature races across the Flemington Racing Spectacular.

VRC members and invited guests then enjoyed a Long Lunch on the Members Lawn, sampling some Melbourne’s best food and wine which will be on offer during the Flemington Racing Spectacular.

VIP guests included Hall of Fame trainer and VRC Ambassador Gai Waterhouse OAM, former Melbourne Cup Carnival Ambassador and author Olivia Molly McKeone, former Myer Fashions on your Front Lawn Ambassador and digital influencer Tayla Damir, Paralympian and VRC Ambassador Emma Booth and Flemington trainer Ben Hayes.

The autumn action will kick off with Australian Guineas Day on Saturday 5 March, featuring the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m). Off the track, racegoers can explore the Flemington Fareground and keep the celebrations going when Art vs. Science DJs kick off the Spectacular’s free Party After The Last series on the famous Flemington Front Lawn.

The next meeting of the Flemington Racing Spectacular is Super Saturday on Saturday 12 March, where racegoers will witness some of the country’s best horses battle it out in two time-honoured Group 1 races.

The 160th running of the $1.5 million Group 1 TAB Australian Cup (2000m) and the 149th $1.5 million Yulong Stud Newmarket Handicap (1200m), won by the finest middle-distance gallopers and sprinters over the decades, will capture the attention of racing fans.

Off the track, Australian indie-rock royalty the Jungle Giants will keep the crowd entertained when they headline the Party After the Last.

The final day of the Flemington Racing Spectacular will feature The Seppelt Wines All-Star Mile on Saturday 19 March, with Flemington set to erupt with excitement when the world’s richest mile race is run.

The $5 million race will see Melbourne Cup Carnival star Zaaki return to Flemington for the first time since his runaway win in the Group 1 Paramount+ Mackinnon Stakes.
Australian electronic duo the Bag Raiders (DJ set) will headline the entertainment when they perform their hits including global phenomenon Shooting Stars and Sunlight as part of the Party After the Last.

VRC Chief Executive Officer Steve Rosich said the Flemington Racing Spectacular has something for everyone.

“Whether you are a racing enthusiast, a family looking to enjoy a relaxed day out or a group of friends wanting to listen to some live music, this extraordinary month of race days at Flemington has something for everyone,” Mr Rosich said.

“On the track we have many of Australia’s best horses competing in some of the biggest races of the year and off the track we have food, wine and entertainment that rivals the Melbourne Cup Carnival, but in a more intimate autumn setting.”

“After a bumper Black Caviar Lightning Race Day, we look forward to welcoming even larger crowds back to Flemington.”

Australian Guineas Day

Flemington Racecourse will transform into the perfect playground on Australian Guineas Day on Saturday 5 March, with exceptional Group 1 racing, delectable food and beverage offerings, free kids activities, first-class dining and exciting live entertainment.

The Elms will be transformed into the lively and playful Flemington Fareground, with delicious artisanal food and beverage stalls, a makers market, vintage carnival rides and live music and entertainment.

Racegoers can indulge in eats from Wrap Roll It Vietnamese, Shiva Indian, The Burger Bar and Mr Wonder Whip while also enjoy wine tastings from a number of Australian wineries including Seppelt, Squealing Pig, Wynn’s and T’Gallant.

A pop-up cocktail bar under the shade of the majestic Elms trees will also be part of the fareground offering, free with every general admission ticket.

The fareground will also feature an artisanal makers market to taste and purchase treats from throughout the day. Racegoers can explore the market and treat themselves to speciality cheese from Calendar Cheese, a sumptuous sandwich from Nico’s Deli, a handmade empanada from Dan’s Empanadas, gourmet sausages from Peter Bouchier and cakes and baked good from the Country Women’s Association.

There will also be a number of market stalls, where visitors can purchase posies and plants from Grown Florist, receive brow touch ups and products from Browology, explore the range of wellness products from Blossom Brew or get a custom macrame creation from Cate N Jina.

The fareground will play host to a special party on the lawn for Phar Lap Club members, featuring a petting zoo as well as arts and crafts activities. The Phar Lap Club party is open for all kids 11 and under with complimentary sign up.

The Front Lawn Beer Garden will return on Australian Guineas Day and feature live music all day long, with Australian electronic dance band Art vs. Science DJs to keep the party going when they headline the Party After the Last series.

Ross Stevenson’s popular Love Letter to Racing event also returns on Australian Guineas Day, featuring five renowned guests reading aloud their penned ‘Love Letter to Racing’. Speakers this year include Lord Mayor Sally Capp, champion jockey Glen Boss, Chief Executive Mushroom Group Matt Gudinski, Channel 7 presenter Jacqui Felgate and Richmond FC Legend Kevin Bartlett.

VRC members and guests dining in The Byerley, The Dining Room, The Atrium will be treated to a special autumnal menu featuring the best produce from across Victoria.
With extended hours and live musical entertainment after the last, racegoers can enjoy the festivities of the day long after the last race, including those in The Roof Garden, with DJ John Course set to keep the party going.

On the track, racing purists can sit back and marvel at some of the country’s most talented three-year-olds as they do battle in the $1 million Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m), a thrilling race that brings together valuable colts including Group 1 Penfolds Victoria Derby (2500m) winner Hitotsu and Sydney superstar Profondo plus undefeated talent Pinstriped and top-liner Captivant.

The undercard features the Group 2 TAB Blamey Stakes (1600m) where one of Australia’s brightest stars Zaaki is expected to take his place.

Gates open 11:10am with Race 1 at 12:35pm and the last race 5:35pm.

Super Saturday

Victoria’s premier autumn race day Super Saturday will be held at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday 12 March.

Two time-honoured Group 1 races will capture the attention of racegoers with the 160th $1.5 million Group 1 TAB Australian Cup (2000m) and the 149th $1.25 million Group 1 Yulong Stud Newmarket Handicap (1200m) the highlights of a nine-race program.

The Group 1 TAB Australian Cup is one of Flemington’s oldest feature races, first run in 1863, and it is set to attract a field worthy of its historic status with Lexus Melbourne Cup placegetter Spanish Mission in the running behind current favourite Think it Over.

In the Group 1 Yulong Stud Newmarket Handicap a capacity field is expected to take their shot at Australia’s most prestigious sprint. Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) winner Home Affairs will aim to become the 15th horse to complete the Flemington autumn sprint double, but standing in his way are top-class sprinters like 2021 winner Zoutori and fellow three-year-old Artorius.

Super Saturday will also feature the Group 2 MSS Security Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) for the two-year-olds and the Group 2 TAB Kewney Stakes (1600m) for three-year-old fillies among eight stakes races on the card.

The Flemington Fareground will return on Super Saturday, where racegoers will be spoilt for choice in the food stakes, with offerings from Wrap Roll It Vietnamese, Shiva Indian, The Burger Bar and Mr Wonder Whip.

To further add to the food stakes, visitors to the Flemington Fareground will also be able to indulge in eats from a number of market stalls including Calendar Cheese, Nico’s Deli, Dan’s Empanada’s and the Country Women’s Association.

Racegoers will also have the opportunity to visit a number of market stalls within the Flemington Fareground.

Australian indie-rock royalty the Jungle Giants will keep the party going long after the last race when they headline the Party After the Last series on the Front Lawn. After performing sold out headline tours across Australia, the popular band are guaranteed to keep the celebrations going.

VRC Young Members will be able to enjoy the day at an exclusive event on The Furphy Deck, featuring unbeatable views of the track and live entertainment all day long.

Gates open 11:10am with Race 1 at 12:35pm and the last race 5:35pm.

The Seppelt Wines All-Star Mile

The Flemington Racing Spectacular will finish with a bang with The Seppelt Wines All-Star Mile on Saturday 19 March.

Flemington will erupt with excitement when the world’s richest mile race returns to headquarters, with some of Australia’s best horses nominated for the $5 million Seppelt Wines All-Star Mile.

Of the 15 runners, 10 were chosen by public vote while five will be offered wildcards following Super Saturday.

Among those in contention are Group 1 Paramount+ Mackinnon Stakes hero Zaaki as well as talented Group 1 winners I’m Thunderstruck and Cascadian.

Off the track, the Flemington Fareground will the perfect place for people to indulge the senses, featuring delectable food offerings from The Greek Wrap Co, Wrap Roll It Vietnamese, Shiva Indian and The Burger Bar.

Calendar Cheese, Nico’s Deli, Dan’s Empanada’s and the Country Women’s Association will also be offering delicious treats as part of the Flemington Fareground, along with a number of market stalls.

Family fun can also be found in the fareground, with an abundance of free children’s activities including face painting, pony rides and vintage carnival rides.

Australian electronic duo the Bag Raiders (DJ set) will headline the entertainment, performing as part of popular the Party After the Last series on the Front Lawn.

There will be an abundance of Picnic Pod’s on offer for those looking to enjoy the day on the lawn, with pods of four or six offering premium views of every race and live entertainment all day long.

Gates open 10.55am with Race 1 at 12:25pm and the last race 5:45pm.

Racegoers can pre-purchase tickets at vrc.com.au with prices starting at $20 per person. Children under 12 and accompanied by an adult are admitted free to Flemington all year round.

A digital race book will be available at Flemington.com.au and VRC members, owners and all racing fans are encouraged to follow the race day via the VRC social media platforms using our official hashtag #Flemington on social media and via Channel 7, Racing.com, RSN and Sky Racing.

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Flemington set for super month of racing

Australian Guineas Day

Super Saturday

The Seppelt Wines All-Star Mile

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