Flemington Racecourse - Melbourne Cup Track
Robert Fleming who kept a few head of cattle and ran a nondescript butchery on the banks of the Maribyrnong, probably had no inkling that his name would become associated with a global event that served to put Australia on the world map. His land became part of the
Melbourne Racecourse that later on developed into the Flemington Racecourse in the 1860s, encompassing a massive 320 acres.
Its humble beginnings in 1861, when it was little more than a haphazard path cut out among tall grass, has now transformed to a pear shaped beauty with vital statistics loved by jockeys from down under and all over. It is synonymous with the
Melbourne Cup Day that has made it well known among racing aficionados. The race takes off on an anticlockwise direction on a course incorporating graceful sweeping curves and a long straight ending at the winning post. There is also a 1200 metre straight known as the "Straight Six," from the pre-metric system era, when the distance was denoted as six furlongs.
R.C.Bagot, the first Secretary of the newly formed Victoria Racing Club took his job seriously and played a huge part in the phenomenal growth and development of the racecourse on an upward trajectory that soon showed results. The New Years Day Bagot Handicap is in recognition of his remarkable contribution to the VRC and a race crazy public. In 1925, the Old Members Grandstand was built and presented to the public, followed by the four tiered Hill Stand strategically located in front of the winning post, in 1977. This place boasts exclusive restaurants, bars, and bookmakers, or anything a racegoer's heart might desire.
The Birdcage which today houses the horses before the races, was earlier the place where gentlemen paraded their female partners in all their finery, signifying the rather inglorious name. Thankfully this practice faded into obscurity during the 1960s. A new Grandstand was opened at a cost of $45 million to accommodate the rising numbers in 2000.
Today the Flemington racecourse is one of the most beautiful spots in the city of Melbourne. The place blazes in a colourful riot of roses and well manicured greens that impresses visitors and thrills the locals with pride. There are about eleven gardeners who take personal pride in getting the place all spruced up and flowering in time for the descending horde of racegoers. The race ground pays tribute to the legendary Phar Lap in the form of a true to life bronze statue. A similar honour is to be bestowed on
Makybe Diva for her awesome record of three consecutive wins.
This historic race course has now been placed on the National Heritage List right along side the Sydney Opera House, giving Melbourne an opportunity for chest thumping and yet another reason to celebrate.
Location: Victoria, Australia
Circumference: 2312 metres
Direction: Anti-clockwise
Straight: 450 metres
Comments: Spacious wide track with long sweeping turns. Straight track racing for 1000-1200m racing.
Melbourne Cup Track - The track is located in Victoria, Australia with a circumference of 2312 metres running anti-clockwise with a straight of 450 metres : Aussie Punter
