Geelong Racecourse

Geelong Racecourse is the most important country race track in the Australian state of Victoria. Located 72km south west of the city of Melbourne, Geelong Racecourse is best known for hosting the Geelong Spring Carnival, the third meeting of the annual Melbourne Spring Carnival of Racing.

Geelong Racecourse is the only country track to host races during the Melbourne Spring Carnival of Racing, and is a popular destination for racing fans in Melbourne, due to its scenic, pastoral setting. The most prestigious race held at the racecourse is the group 3 Geelong Cup, one of the most important trial races for the Melbourne Cup.

Racetrack Layout & Description

Geelong Racecourse boasts state-of-the-art racing facilities, including an all-weather ThoroughTrack synthetic track as well as a turf track. The synthetic track is an 1858 metre oval, which incorporates a 60 metre turf section. The synthetic track is left-handed and accommodates a maximum field of 16 racehorses.

The turf track at Geelong Racecourse runs along the outside of the synthetic track over a distance of 2043 metres. The fully irrigated track performs best in wet weather, and produces fast races with long straights and wide turns. The left-handed turf track is used to host the Geelong Cup.

Besides featuring world class racetracks, Geelong Racecourse also offers excellent hospitality facilities. The racecourse features function rooms, a club and three grandstands. There are plans to introduce floodlights and evening racing to Geelong Racecourse in the near future.

Geelong Racecourse History

Horse racing in the town of Geelong dates back to 1841, when races were held on flat land near the country town. For the best part of a decade, racing was held at Corio or on the banks of the Moorabool River near Fyansford. By 1849, the racing community had established a proper racecourse on the banks of the Barwon River at Marshalltown.

When frequent flooding from the neighbouring Barwon River at Marshalltown started making winter racing well nigh impossible, the racetrack was relocated one more time to its present site at Breakwater Road. This Geelong Racecourse held its first official meeting in 1908.