Victoria Launches Spring Racing Carnival

Victoria's Spring Racing Carnival, which reaches its peak in the running of the Melbourne Cup on November 6, has been launched in Melbourne.

While New South Wales and Queensland remain under quarantine conditions because of the outbreak of equine influenza — and their horses are not expected to be allowed into Victoria — Melbourne and the rest of Victoria are looking forward to a relatively problem-free Spring Racing Carnival.

Officially launched yesterday at Federation Square, the spring racing season comprises 50 days of racing and racing-related activities throughout Victoria until November 22.

The first race of the carnival, the Briseis Cup, takes place today in Geelong southwest of Melbourne. The first major Melbourne race of the carnival is the Turnbull Stakes, run on October 6, at Flemington racecourse. The Turnbull Stakes is a Group 1, 2000-metre thoroughbred horse race under conditions of set weights and penalties.

The last race of the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival takes place on November 21 with the Ballarat Cup in Ballarat northwest of Melbourne.

Photo: The running of the Melbourne Cup © Australian Tourist Commission