Moonee Valley Racing Track

Located just 7km from Melbourne’s CBD, Moonee Valley Racecourse sits within a natural amphitheatre, providing a spectacular setting for one of Australia’s most renowned racing venues. The track is celebrated for the elite races it stages, most notably the 2040m Cox Plate, which is widely regarded as the premier Weight for Age race in Australasia.

What truly distinguishes Moonee Valley from other leading racecourses is its unique rectangular layout. The circuit measures 1,805m in circumference and features a notably short 173m home straight. These characteristics strongly suit front-running horses as they turn for home in front of packed grandstands, offering spectators thrilling close-up action alongside impressive views of Melbourne’s city skyline.

Barriers:

1000m – Barrier position has limited impact at this distance. Races begin from a chute near the second turn, and after the jump, runners travel down a straight that bypasses the third turn and links directly to the final bend, joining the course proper at the 600m mark. The diagonal 400m opening straight creates a long, sweeping final turn before the home straight.

1200m – Inside barriers are advantageous. Races start from a chute leading onto the back straight, with runners covering around 300m before the first turn. After exiting that bend, there is a short dash of roughly 200m before the final turn.

1600m – Starts on the course proper just after the first turn. Runners travel about 400m before reaching the first of three turns. Barrier position is less influential here compared to the 1200m races.

2040m – Beginning in the home straight, runners have only around 200m before the first turn. This allows inside barriers a better chance to secure a favourable position early.

2600m – Over this longer distance, inside barriers provide little to no advantage. Runners travel approximately 400m before encountering the first of five turns.

3000m – Races start from the same chute used for the 1200m events. At this distance, barrier position has minimal impact on the outcome.