Blogs: Horse Racing

France's staying classic, the Prix Royal-Oak is run over an extended two miles at Longchamp and brings together the leading stayers of the European autumn. Our trends guide covers the profile, the draw and the shortlist.

The VRC Champions Stakes is a Group 1 weight-for-age contest over 2000 metres at Flemington, often crowning the outstanding middle-distance performer of the spring. Our trends guide covers the winning profile, the barrier draw and the shortlist.

Australia's leading sprinters head down the Flemington straight for the VRC Champions Sprint, a Group 1 over 1200 metres that closes the spring carnival in style. Our trends guide covers the winning profile, the barrier draw and the shortlist.

The VRC Champions Mile brings Australia's best milers to Flemington for a Group 1 over 1600 metres on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Our trends guide covers the winning profile, the barrier draw and the shortlist.

The Victoria Derby is Flemington's Group 1 staying classic for three-year-olds over 2500 metres, a searching test that has produced many of Australia's finest middle-distance horses. Our trends guide covers the profile, the barrier draw and the shortlist.

The race that stops a nation, the Melbourne Cup sends a huge international field over 3200 metres at Flemington in Australia's most famous handicap. Our trends guide covers the winning profile, the barrier draw and the shortlist.

Mares take centre stage in the Empire Rose Stakes, a Group 1 mile at Flemington on Derby Day that regularly attracts the leading distaff performers of the spring. Our trends guide covers the profile, the barrier draw and the shortlist.

Three-year-old fillies contest the Crown Oaks over 2500 metres at Flemington, a staying classic run on Oaks Day that asks serious questions of stamina. Our trends guide covers the winning profile, the barrier draw and the shortlist.

Flemington's Coolmore Stud Stakes is a Group 1 sprint for three-year-olds over 1200 metres down the straight, a race that has launched many a stallion career. Our trends guide covers the profile, the barrier draw and the shortlist.

The Turf Sprint is a headlong dash on grass where course configuration, a fast break and the right post position can all make the difference between winning and losing. Our trends guide covers the profile, post positions and the shortlist.