| Caulfield, nicknamed "The Heath", is a famous | | | | event for two-year-olds) as well as the Oakleigh |
| Melbourne racecourse that is one of the only | | | | Plate, Futurity Stakes and the C.F. Orr Stakes. |
| racecourses in Australia to rival Flemington as one | | | | There are two other major carnivals held: the |
| of the country's best-known racing tracks. | | | | Summer and Autumn Carnivals. |
| Located in Melbourne's south east, the track is | | | | The track is triangular in shape, with three |
| only 8 kilometres from the CBD, and is home to | | | | straights and a total circumference of 2080 |
| the Melbourne Racing Club. | | | | metres, including a finishing straight of 367 metres. |
| 1859 saw the first racing at the Caulfield site. In | | | | The course proper is 30 metres wide, and was |
| those early years, horses battled through rough | | | | entirely re-laid in 2005 with banking on the turns, |
| bush and sand, which earned Caulfield its nickname | | | | varying from 4% on the home straight and 2% |
| of "The Heath". The Victoria Amateur Turf Club | | | | on the other turns. |
| (now the Melbourne Racing Club) held its first | | | | Caulfield is a 20-minute drive from Melbourne's |
| formal race meet in 1876, and in 1879 introduced | | | | central city on the South Eastern Arterial. Trains |
| the now famous Caulfield Cup - a race considered | | | | and trams make the track easily accessible |
| by many to be Australia's best test of speed and | | | | without a car as well. |
| stamina. The Caulfield Cup is run over 2400m on | | | | Like its rival across town at Flemington, Caulfield |
| the third Saturday of October. The ultimate | | | | promotes its function facilities for those needing |
| dream in Australian racing, of course, is to win | | | | an event catering for up to 200 people. For a |
| both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups: but so far | | | | meal with a twist, Caulfield offers gourmet dining |
| only nine horses have done so. | | | | with a view, at the Promenade Tiered Dining |
| Caulfield was extensively redeveloped in the | | | | Restaurant which is located directly opposite the |
| 1990's, and the new track opened in 1996. | | | | finish line. Every table is equipped with an individual |
| The main Rupert Clarke stand is fully enclosed - | | | | LCD TV - for all those who were always told |
| which is a good idea in Melbourne's often fickle | | | | they couldn't watch TV while having dinner! |
| climate. It offers uninterrupted views of the track | | | | Other dining options include the buffet style |
| and some of Australia's most prestigious races. | | | | Bernborough Restaurant in the main Rupert Clarke |
| The biggest event at Caulfield is the Spring | | | | Grandstand, complete with bar and tote, or the |
| Carnival, which includes three days of racing, | | | | more exclusive Blue Diamond room in the |
| leading up the Caulfield Cup on the last day. The | | | | member's area. Whether you go to Caulfield for |
| Caulfield Guineas Day and the Thousand Guineas | | | | the racing or the dining or the betting, its good |
| Day complete the Spring Carnival. | | | | odds that you wouldn't have to fight your way |
| Caulfield hosts around 20 race days a season, and | | | | through the bush and sand to get there any |
| other important and historic races at Caulfield | | | | more! |
| include the Blue Diamond Stakes (Victoria's richest | | | | |