Melbourne’s Moonee Valley Racecourse, located just six kilometres from the city centre is home to Australia’s prestigious Cox Plate race. Affectionately dubbed ‘Money Valley’ the Moonee Valley Racecourse is home to the Moonee Valley Racing Club and conveniently located in the suburb Moonee Ponds. While the $3 million Group One Cox Plate (2040m) is the highlight racing event of the year, there are several other key races to grace the track being the Group One Manikato Stakes (1200m), the Group One Australia Stakes (1200m) and many more.
The track itself is of a rectangular shape and has the shortest finishing straight with a length of 173 metres. This makes it a perfect track for front runners on the home-stretch and can produce some thrilling results. As with all Victorian Racetracks, events which take place at Moonee Valley are all run anti-clockwise, and with the huge array of dining and entertainment options available means a day at Moonee Valley is a great one for all spectators.
The Moonee Valley Racecourse held its maiden meet in September of 1883 and came about due to the motivation of William Sam Cox – whom the Cox Plate is named after – with the race inaugurated in 1922. Over the years the Moonee Valley Racecourse has established itself as one of the most respected tracks in the country. It was the first to hold night races, and is currently host to 33 racedays spanning both day and night every year.
Playing host to some of Australia’s biggest races, the Moonee Valley Racecourse is a true testament to our nation’s horse racing. While the action on the track is a clear drawcard, so too is the atmosphere off it. If you are looking for a relaxed family day out, or a keen day of punting, there is no better place to be than the Moonee Valley Racecourse.
Moonee Valley Racecourse
Address: 1 McPherson St, Moonee Ponds Victoria 3039, Australia
Telephone: (03) 9373 2222
Track Circumference: 1,805 metres
