Sport

Lexie Harris / October 28, 2022

The iconic Melbourne Cup Carnival is here: here’s what you need to know

The week-long spectacle that is the Cup Carnival has finally arrived, combining everything that Melbourne does best: sport, entertainment, fashion and food!

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A highlight in Melbourne’s social and sporting calendar, the Melbourne Cup Carnival is here! With four days of world class racing and entertainment to experience, you’ll want to secure your tickets to join in on all the celebrations and witness racing legends be made.

It all kicks off with Penfolds Victoria Derby Day where the nine-race program at Flemington Racecourse showcases thoroughbred racing at its very best and classic black and white is the signature style. Feature races include the $2 million Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m), the pinnacle of three-year-old sprinters, while the $1 million TAB Empire Stakes (1600m) for fillies and mares will crown the next queen of the turf.

At 3pm on that famous Tuesday in November, the $8 million Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup takes its rightful place as the centrepiece for the entire Carnival. Lexus Melbourne Cup Day is where legends are made and the stage is set for another iconic day. Other feature races on Cup Day include the Group 3 Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m), Group 3 The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m), plus the popular Subzero Handicap (1400m), a race restricted to grey horses.

Style, elegance, sophistication and beauty take centre stage on Thursday’s Kennedy Oaks Day, also known as Ladies’ Day, where fashion threatens to overtake racing as the major event. The day’s thrilling racing highlight is the $1 million Group 1 Kennedy Oaks, which will decide the nations top three-year-old filly.

The Cup Carnival comes to a close on Saturday with TAB Champions Stakes Day, a guaranteed good time for families, and everyone. The racing highlights include the the $3 million Group 1 TAB Champions Stakes (2000m), the spring grand final for Australia’s best middle-distance horses as well as the $3 million Group 1 Kennedy Champions Mile (1600m).

The Park at Flemington

Flemington’s entertainment playground The Park will also offer crowds plenty of fun and frivolity to keep the celebrations going. Race-goers can look forward to dancing in the daylight to performances by Australia’s hottest musicians on the Live Stage and embrace the joy of dressing up for Myer Fashions on the Field.

Getting the party started, 2019 Australian of the Year Baker Boy, dance music artists KLP + Stace Cadet and Melbourne based producer and DJ Sgt Slick will take to the stage on Penfolds Victoria Derby Day. On Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, the party will continue with the Live Stage hosting Aussie DJ Hot Dub Time Machine, hero musician Wafia and Kiwi duo Sweet Mix Kid. Entertainment on Kennedy Oaks Day includes unrivalled DJ and producer duo Sneaky Sound System, Carl + Eric’s Hot Sauce, DJ Sunshine and eight-person live choir Disco Faith Choir. Finally, wrapping up the week long party, Birds of Tokyo, alternative dance group Crooked Colours (DJ Set) and DJ duo Teddy Cream will play for crowds on TAB Champions Stakes Day.

As well as hosting incredible music and stunning fashion, The Park will also provide race-goers with playful spaces to sit back and enjoy sips in stylish bars as well as indulge in delicious bites from Melbourne’s trendiest eateries including Dos Amigos, Goldie Boy and Hochi Mama.

The best part of all is that access to The Park is free with all Melbourne Cup Carnival tickets.

Melbourne Cup Carnival Maps

Explore the Melbourne Cup Carnival map to find out all the areas you can access around course, including The Park. More information, including the Rails, Domain, or Nursery carpark site maps can be found here.

With various ticket options still available for each day, secure your Melbourne Cup Carnival Tickets to be a part of all the glorious action both on and off the track. Tickets available now via Ticketmaster.com.au.