Ballarat Races

Introduction

The Ballarat Racecourse is located at the Dowling Forest Racecourse – which sits 113km west of Melbourne.

The Ballarat Races host a liturgy of different events, from 1,000m horse races, through to 3,400m steeple races.

The Race Track has been updated numerous times – and currently consists of both an old and new track.

The Ballarat Races are not just home to the Race Club, but also cater for over 300 horses in training.

The main event here is the Sportsbet Ballarat Cup, run every November. It boats a total prize pool of half a million, and is a Listed Race.

As well as this, the Ballarat Races host over 32 race days each season, making it the largest amount of meets on any grass track in regional Victoria.

Ballarat Racecourse Details
Address: 240 Kennedys Road
Suburb: Miners Rest, Victoria, 3352
Phone Number: (03) 5334 6273
Circumference: 1,900m
Direction: Anti-Clockwise
Track Type: Turf

Key Ballarat Races

Ballarat Races

The Ballarat Cup is a Listed Race which is hosted by the Ballarat Racecourse in Victoria every year.

It is held over a 2000m distance, and is run under handicap conditions.

This year, the Ballarat Cup 2021 will be held on November 20, 2021, at Ballarat Racecourse.

Ballarat Racing Tips     

Ballarat Racecourse Barrier and Starting Positions

Ballarat Races are Victoria’s premiere country races, hosting a slew of over 30 races per season.

This is more than any other Victorian country track.

Ballarat’s main event is the Sportsbet Ballarat Cup, which concludes the celebrations during the Spring Racing Carnival in November.

There are two track here, one inside the other, which offer a multitude of options for staying distance races.

This includes going around the newer, smaller track, or sweeping the race out to the old track – and finishing in front of the Grandstand lie old times.

Sprint races up to 1200m are usually started on the back straight of the inside track – or in a chute which leads into the final straight.

The track is at its best in dry and wet weather conditions – with the long final straight making it a fair competition, which allows horses to make ground.

1000m & 1200m New Track: Begin in a diagonal chute just off of the course proper. From there, runners will have a 300m straight, before leading into a sharp turn, and another 300m home straight. Due to the length of both straights, barriers are of little importance.

1200m, 1400m & 1500m Old Track: Begin opposite the winning post, and begin on the back straight. Runners hit a long straight before sweeping around at the back of the course. Then hitting the final home straight of 450m. Barriers are of little importance.

2200m: Begins on the home straight, in front of the grandstand and just behind the winning post. Runners hit a 400m straight before heading into a sweeping turn and the back straight. Due to the length of the straights, and the distance involved – barriers are once again of no importance.

Ballarat Races Results

Getting to the Track

There is public transport only to Ballarat on Wendouree Train Stations.

On Ballarat Cup day, there is, however, a bus service from Ballarat to the Racecourse. And on Grand National Day – there will be a bus from the Ballarat Station.

Contact the Ballarat Turf Club for any more questions about Public Transport to the Track.

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