Top Australian Horse Races for 2017 (First Quarter)

After an incredible Spring racing season that saw super-mare Winx continue to etch her name into the record books, most of the nation’s top thoroughbreds are ready to get back into action for late summer and early fall racing that could lead the way towards divisional titles.

Top February Races

In the early summer months, most of the top stables are just getting back to work after giving its charges a little time off after a hard fought spring session. With only a small selection of races scheduled in January, the real top-level action doesn’t kick off until mid February. Here’s a quick look at the Group 1 features scheduled in the heart of the summer.

Feb. 11 – CF Orr Stakes – Caulfield Racecourse (Melbourne), 3-year olds and up at a distance of 1400 meters on turf for a total purse of AUS $500,000. Weights to be assigned based on age.

Feb. 18 – Lightning Stakes – Flemington Racecourse (Melbourne) - 3-year olds and up at a distance of 1000 meters on turf for a total purse of AUS $750,000. Weights to be assigned based on age. One of the nation’s premiere races for sprinters.

Feb. 25 – Blue Diamond Stakes – Caulfield Racecourse (Melbourne) - 2-year olds at a distance of 1200 meters on turf for a total purse of AUS $500,000. Set weights. This is one of the top races in Australia for 2-year olds.

Feb. 25 – Oakleigh Plate – Caulfield Racecourse (Melbourne) - 3-year olds and up at a distance of 1100 meters on turf for a total purse of AUS $1,500,000. Weights assigned based on handicap conditions.

Feb. 25 – Futurity Stakes – Caulfield Racecourse (Melbourne) - 3-year olds and up at a distance of 1400 meters on turf for a total purse of AUS $500,000. Weights to be assigned based on age.

Top March Races

Heading into the autumn racing carnivals, the nation’s attention turns to the 3-year olds that will be contesting Triple Crown races. This is also the time of year when the nation’s top older handicap gallopers and stayers hit full stride.

Mar. 4 – Randwick Guineas – Randwick Racecourse (Sydney) – 3-year olds at a distance of 1600 meters on turf for a total purse of AUS $600,000. Set weights. This is the first jewel of the Triple Crown.

Mar. 11 – Australian Cup – Flemington Racecourse (Melbourne) - 3-year olds and up at a distance of 2000 meters on turf for a total purse of AUS $1,500,000. Weights to be assigned based on age. Could see Winx in action.

Mar. 18 – Golden Slipper Stakes – Rosehill Gardens (Sydney) – 2-year olds at a distance of 1200 meters on turf for a total purse of AUS $3,500,000. Set weights. This race has the largest purse in the world for juvenile thoroughbreds.

Mar. 18 – Rosehill Guineas – Rosehill Gardens(Sydney) – 3-year olds at a distance of 2000 meters on turf for a total purse of AUS $500,000. Set weights. This is the second jewel of the Triple Crown.

Mar. 18 – George Ryder Stakes – Rosehill Gardens(Sydney) – 3-year olds and up at a distance of 1500 meters on turf for a total purse of AUS $1,000,000. Weights to be assigned based on age. Winx won this race last year.

Mar. 25 – The BMW – Rosehill Gardens(Sydney) – 3-year olds and up at a distance of 2400 meters on turf for a total purse of AUS $2,250,000. Weights assigned based on age.

Apr. 1 – ATC Australian Derby – Randwick Racecourse (Sydney) - 3-year olds at a distance of 2400 meters on turf for a total purse of AUS $2,000,000. Set weights. This is the third jewel of the Triple Crown.

A look at Australian horse racing today indicates that some major prep races are currently popping up on the schedule. By securing some free horse racing tips, punters can start building a bankroll in anticipation of the big races coming this summer and fall. Free horse racing tips are a great way to attract interest in Australian horse racing today with an eye towards the future.