Geelong Races

Introduction

Geelong Racecourse holds the title as one of the most vital regional racecourses in Victoria – hosting over 35 meetings a year.

The course is home to both a turf and synthetic racecourse – with the synthetic track often being utilised for trialling purposes.

The synthetic track is a left-handed all-weather ThoroughTrack course which sits at 1,858 metres. The turf track is a left-handed all-weather ova track, which sits at 2,043 metres in length.

As well as this, The Geelong Races are the only regional turf in Victoria to host meetings during the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.

As we know it, Geelong Racecourse was opened in 1908, but there have been Geelong Races held as this course since the 1840’s.

Geelong Racecourse Details
Address: 99 Breakwater Road
Suburb: Breakwater, Victoria, 3219
Phone Number: (03) 5229 4414
Circumference: Turf – 2,043m, Synthetic – 1,858m
Direction: Anti-Clockwise
Track Type: Turf & Synthetic

Key Geelong Races

Geelong Races

The most important Geelong Race hosted at the ground is the 2,400m Group 3 Geelong Cup, which acts as a qualifier for the Melbourne Cup.

This race brings in many of Australia’s most prestigious horses, looking to gain placement into the final Melbourne Cup Field.

Geelong is also aptly named the most important regional track in Victoria.

But, with all this being said, still doesn’t host many major racing events throughout the year, until the running of the Geelong Cup.

Still, the Geelong Cup should be watched by casual racing fans and punters alike – as it gives a strong indication to horses likely to perform well in the Melbourne Cup.

An example of this is 2008 winner Bauer, who was barely taken out by Shocking in the Melbourne Cup.

2003 Geelong Cup placegetter She’s Archie also came second, only beaten by Australia’s most famous horse, Makybe Diva in the Melbourne Cup.

Geelong Racing Tips     

Geelong Racecourse Barrier and Starting Positions

The Geelong Races have tracks which are generally considered to be both true and fair – due to the length of the straights.

These tracks also have the ability to support distances from 1100m – 2400m on grass, and between 1000m and 2200m on synthetic.

1100m & 1200m Turf – The 1000m has a 200m straight before the first turn, which slopes around to the home straight at 300m. Barriers are of little importance due to the length of both straights before the finish line.

1400m & 1500m Turf – Runners hit a 300m or 400m straight before the first turn, giving wider barrier draws a clear opportunity to cut across to the rail. Barriers are once again invalid, as they’ll finish with a 300m home straight.

1700m – Begins in a chute at the back of the course. Barriers are of more importance here, as runners begin on a sharp turn before the 500m straight. There’s ample time and distance to make up for a wider draw, however, with runners able to make ground on the 500m side straight.

2200m – Runners begin in a chute just before the finish line, and head into a 200m straight before the first turn. Outside barriers will once again have ample time to make up for a wider draw, as they round a full lap of the course.

2400m – The distance of the Geelong Cup. Runners begin 300m before the finish line, in front of the main grandstand. There’s a 400m straight, followed by the first turn, giving wider barriers a chance to make up the distance. Inside barriers are preferred, however, as runners take on a full lap of the course.

Geelong Races Results

Getting to the Track

Here are the options on how to get to Geelong Racecourse.

If you want to head to the Geelong Races – there’s plenty of ways to do so!

Train: Get to the Geelong Races from the Geelong Line to the Geelong Station, then jump aboard the bus to the racetrack.

Bus: If you’re keen to head to the Geelong Races on the bus, hop on routes 61, 66, 67, from Geelong Station, and get off on the corner of Tucker Street and Fellmongers Road.

Car: Get to the Geelong Races via the Princess Highway. It’s going to take a fair while, however, with the track around 72 metres south west of the Melbourne City Centre.

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