Moonee Valley Racecourse
Located just six kilometres from the centre of Melbourne in the suburb of Moonee Ponds, the Moonee Valley Racecourse is often dubbed ‘Money Valley’. Home to the Moonee Valley Racing Club, the Moonee Valley Racecourse is host to the esteemed WS Cox Plate during the prestigious Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
Other key national races to be held at Moonee Valley are the Manikato Stakes and the William Reid Stakes, both elite Group One races. The rectangular track has a circumference of 1, 805 metres and a 173 metre straight – the shortest in the country. As with all tracks in Victoria, it is raced anti-clockwise. A tight course, the Moonee Valley Racecourse is perfect for those who lead from the start or have strong positions, as the short straight makes it tough for the back runners to come to the fore.
On the inside of the main track is a 965 metre harness racing track, which previously was regarded as the premier metropolitan track for the sport in Victoria. Coming into existence thanks to William Sam Cox, who the WS Cox Plate is named for, the Moonee Valley Racecourse held its first race meet in September 1883. It was one of the first courses in Australia to hold night races, and hosts 33 races each year as both day and night events.
With some great facilities on offer to visitors, such as luxurious dining boxes with great views over the home straight and many other bars and food venues, the thrilling action of the Moonee Valley Racecourse is not an experience to be missed by racing fans.
Moonee Valley Racecourse Information
Address: 1 McPherson St, Moonee Ponds Victoria 3039, Australia
Telephone: (03) 9373 2222
Track Circumference: 1,805 metres
Course Types: Flat & Harness
