Ascot Races
Introduction
Ascot Racecourse is the main, and only Group 1, Racetrack in Perth – and hosts Western Australia’s major horse racing events – spanning from the Perth Cup, Railway Stakes, Kingston Town Classic and Winterbottom Stakes.
Ascot is home to Perth’s horse racing industry, and pertains some of WA’s hottest horse races. The racecourse hots the entire State’s summer and autumn racing carnivals, in March and April; and November and December.
#MondayMood until further notice 😴
📹 RexChapman pic.twitter.com/iGg0aPSfZe
— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) January 11, 2021
The Racecourse is situated 8km east of the Perth CBD, and the Western Australian Turf Club is located directly opposite.
The Racecourse has many features, including expansive gardens, and first class facilities – including an interstate and local bookies ring. There is also an open pavilion the length of the main tote.
The track itself sits at 2,000m in circumference, featuring a 300m inclining straight. The straight is duly named the toughest test of stayers in Australia, including runners who compete in the Perth Cup on New Years’ Day.
There’s a difficult bend at the first turn, giving the inside barriers the clear advantage on this track.
Ascot Racecourse Details
Address: Grandstand Road
Suburb: Ascot, WA, 6104
Phone Number: (08) 9277 0713
Circumference: 2,000m
Direction: Anti-Clockwise
Track Type: Turf
Key Ascot Races
| Race Name | Distance | Group Level | Prize Money |
| Railway Stakes | 1,600m | Group 1 | $1,000,000 |
| Kingston Town Classic | 1,800m | Group 1 | $1,000,000 |
| WATC Derby | 2,400m | Group 1 | $400,000 |
| Perth Cup | 2,400m | Group 2 | $400,000 |
| Winterbottom Stakes | 1,200m | Group 1 | $1,000,000 |
| Karrakatta Plate | 1,200m | Group 2 | $500,000 |
| CB Cox Stakes | 2,100m | Group 2 | $250,000 |
| WA Guineas | 1,600m | Group 2 | $500,000 |
| Lee Steere Stakes | 1,400m | Group 2 | $250,000 |
Ascot Races
Ascot Racecourse features some awesome races throughout the year, from the Perth Cup, held every year on January 1, to the Ascot Summer Racing Carnival, and the Ascot Autumn Racing Carnival.
Ascot Racing Tips
Ascot Racecourse Barrier and Starting Positions
Ascot Racecourse has a circumference of 2,000m, with the length of the home straight quite short at 294m. Racing is in an anti-clockwise direction.
This is one of the smaller courses in Australia, with inside barriers a clear advantage, as there is no distance or time to make up ground in the home straight.
Winners are often those in the leading division.
Another thing to take into account is the temperatures in Perth, which can range from warm to extremely hot. Some horses may be able to cope with this better than others.
Super sire Zoustar has got our weekend plans summed up…
📹 @dredvers pic.twitter.com/RcDPxfvJ7C
— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) January 9, 2021
1100m: Have a straight run of 400m before the home turn – inside barriers have a distinct advantage, with horses drawn wider given less time to make up the distance before the turn.
1100m & 1200m: Begin in a small barrier at the very back of the course. Inside barriers definitely have an advantage here, but a win can be possible when drawn wide, if the runner jumps well and can cut across to the front in the first 400m.
1400m & 1500m: Start in a gate off the course proper, with a short run to the first turn, giving inside runners here an even bigger advantage at the first turn.
1600m: Barriers begin in a gate off the course proper, with a 300m run until the first turn. Inside gates once again have an advantage due to the short distance until the first turn.
1800m: Begin on the course proper, with a 300m run until the first turn. This is the same distance until the first turn as 1600m, with inside barriers gaining a clear advantage.
2100m & 2200m: Barriers begin just before the winning post on the home straight – with another short run to the first turn. Here, it is important to gain positioning near the rail early, giving inside barriers a clear-cut advantage again.
2400m: Starts at a short extension at the top of the home straight. Barriers are of lesser, to little, importance considering the distance involved.
3200m: There’s only one race per year over this distance, the Perth Cup. Barriers are of no relevance here, due to the staunch distance involved.
Ascot Races Results
Getting to the TrackHere are the options on how to get to Ascot Racecourse.
Train: The nearest train station to Ascot Racecourse is Belmont Station, which is 5kms to Ascot Racecourse. On race days, there’s a free shuttle bus from Belmont Station to Ascot Racecourse.
If you want to plan your trip, visit Transperth to check out your journey to Ascot Racecourse by train.
Bus: The Circle Route Buses (98 & 99) stop at Ascot Racecourse. On big racedays there are also shuttle busses from Belmont Train Station.
Check out Transperth for all the details on bus timetables.
Car: Ascot Racecourse sits on Grandstand Road in Ascot, and is around a bout 8kms north east of the Perth CBD. Its’ only a 20 minute drive along the Great Easter Highway.
Paid parking is available.
Want more Racing Information and Tips? Head to our Racing Hub Page to stay up-to-date!
