Moonee Valley

Moonee Valley Racecourse – Home of the Cox Plate

Moonee Valley Racecourse is Melbourne’s unique amphitheatre of racing and home to the weight-for-age championship of Australasia, the Cox Plate. Known for its tight, turning track and intimate atmosphere, it’s a favourite among racing purists.

Cox Plate Carnival

The Cox Plate Carnival is Victoria’s premier spring race meeting outside of Flemington. The highlight is the WS Cox Plate, often called “the race where legends are made.”

Cox Plate Day

• WS Cox Plate – $5 million Group 1 weight-for-age (2040m)
• Moonee Valley Gold Cup – $500,000 Group 2 (2500m)
• MVRC Crystal Mile – $300,000 Group 2 (1600m)
• Red Anchor Stakes – $300,000 Group 3 for 3-year-olds (1200m)

Manikato Stakes Night

Moonee Valley is famous for its Friday night racing, highlighted by the Group 1 Manikato Stakes under lights:

• Manikato Stakes – $1 million Group 1 (1200m)
• Moonee Valley Vase – $300,000 Group 2 for 3-year-olds (2040m)
• Moonee Valley Fillies Classic – $300,000 Group 2 for 3yo fillies (1600m)
• Crisp Stakes – $200,000 Listed (1200m)

Other Feature Races at Moonee Valley

Spring Carnival

• William Reid Stakes – $500,000 Group 1 (1200m)
• Champions Mile – $1 million Group 1 (1600m)
• A J Moir Stakes – $500,000 Group 1 (1000m)
• Norman Carlyon Stakes – $200,000 Listed (1200m)

Autumn Carnival

• Australia Stakes – $750,000 Group 1 (1200m)
• Sunline Stakes – $300,000 Group 2 for fillies & mares (1600m)
• Stocks Stakes – $200,000 Group 3 for fillies & mares (1600m)

Track Information

Location: McPherson Street, Moonee Ponds, Victoria
Distance from CBD: 6km north-west of Melbourne
Track Type: Turf (left-handed)
Circumference: 1805m
Home Straight: 173m

Track Characteristics

Moonee Valley is unique – the shortest home straight of any metropolitan track in Australia at just 173m. This creates a tactical race where positioning is everything. Horses that get trapped wide or too far back often struggle to make ground.

The tight, turning nature suits horses with good balance and tactical speed. It’s not a track for long-striding stayers who need time to wind up – explosive acceleration is key here.

Barriers

Inside barriers (1-4) are a massive advantage at Moonee Valley. The tight turns and short straight make it very difficult to make ground from wide barriers. Over the Cox Plate distance (2040m), a good barrier draw can be worth several lengths.

Getting to Moonee Valley

By Train: Moonee Ponds Station on the Craigieburn Line is a 10-minute walk from the racecourse. Trams 59 and 82 also stop nearby.

By Car: Parking is available on-course but fills quickly for major race days. The venue is close to the Tullamarine Freeway.

General Admission: Available on the day, with reserved seating for major race days.

Moonee Valley History

Moonee Valley Racecourse opened in 1883, making it one of Melbourne’s oldest racing venues. The Cox Plate was first run in 1922 and is the second-richest weight-for-age race in Australia.

The racecourse underwent a major redevelopment in 2020, with the construction of a new grandstand and improved facilities. The venue now hosts 30+ race meetings annually, with night racing a popular feature.

Famous Moonee Valley winners include Phar Lap (1930, 1931 Cox Plate), Kingston Town (three Cox Plates), Winx (four Cox Plates), Might and Power, So You Think, and more recently, State Of Rest and Anamoe.

Latest Moonee Valley News

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Last updated: March 2026. Gamble responsibly. 18+ only.