The Melbourne Cup is one of Australia’s most beloved horse races. Drawing in huge crowds of enthusiastic racing fans, the Melbourne Cup is one of the most prestigious events on the annual racing calendar. Taking place each year on the first Tuesday of November, the race is a 3,200-metre handicap race for horses aged three and upwards.
In the lead up to the Melbourne Cup, there are a host of races that are important for horses that are looking to gain entry into the main event. These races are known as lead up races and they can be used to help horses gain valuable experience and prize money to help them qualify for the Melbourne Cup. In this article, we will look at the lead up races to the Melbourne Cup, their importance and the major races that are well known in the lead up to the big event.
What is a Lead Up Race?
A lead up race is a race that takes place prior to a major event or race. In this case, they are races that take place in the period leading up to the Melbourne Cup. These lead up races are important as they provide horses with the chance to gain experience and to gain prize money combined with their existing points.
The points gained through these lead up races are often used to decide which horses will be eligible to run in the Melbourne Cup. As such, these races are important for horses that are looking to gain entry into the Melbourne Cup.
In order to gain points towards entry into the Melbourne Cup, horses must compete in races that are recognised by the Victoria Racing Club (VRC). These races must be over distances of at least 1,600 metres and must carry a minimum prize money of $150,000.
Important Lead Up Races to the Melbourne Cup
There are a number of important lead up races that take place in the lead up to the Melbourne Cup. Some of the most important of these are:
The Caulfield Cup
The Caulfield Cup is one of the most important lead up races to the Melbourne Cup. This race is a 2,400-metre handicap race that takes place in October each year at Caulfield Racecourse. The Caulfield Cup is a Group 1 race and carries prize money of $5 million, making it one of the richest races in Australia.
The Caulfield Cup is important as it gives horses the chance to gain valuable points towards entry into the Melbourne Cup. Horses that finish in the top 10 of the Caulfield Cup will automatically gain a spot in the Melbourne Cup field, making it one of the most important lead up races in the lead up to the Melbourne Cup.
The Cox Plate
The Cox Plate is another important lead up race for the Melbourne Cup. This race takes place in October each year at Moonee Valley Racecourse and is run over a distance of 2,040 metres. The Cox Plate is a Group 1 race and carries prize money of $5 million, making it one of the richest races in Australia.
The Cox Plate is important as it gives horses the chance to gain valuable points towards entry into the Melbourne Cup. Horses that finish in the top four of the Cox Plate will automatically gain a spot in the Melbourne Cup field, making it one of the most important lead up races in the lead up to the Melbourne Cup.
The Mackinnon Stakes
The Mackinnon Stakes is another important lead up race for the Melbourne Cup. This race takes place in October each year at Flemington Racecourse and is run over a distance of 2,000 metres. The Mackinnon Stakes is a Group 1 race and carries prize money of $2 million.
The Mackinnon Stakes is important as it gives horses the chance to gain valuable points towards entry into the Melbourne Cup. Horses that finish in the top five of the Mackinnon Stakes will automatically gain a spot in the Melbourne Cup field, making it one of the most important lead up races in the lead up to the Melbourne Cup.
The Herbert Power Stakes
The Herbert Power Stakes is another important lead up race for the Melbourne Cup. This race takes place in October each year at Caulfield Racecourse and is run over a distance of 2,400 metres. The Herbert Power Stakes is a Group 2 race and carries prize money of $400,000.
The Herbert Power Stakes is important as it gives horses the chance to gain valuable points towards entry into the Melbourne Cup. Horses that finish in the top five of the Herbert Power Stakes will automatically gain a spot in the Melbourne Cup field, making it one of the most important lead up races in the lead up to the Melbourne Cup.
Why are Lead Up Races Important?
Lead up races are important for a number of reasons. Firstly, they provide horses with the chance to gain experience and build up their points total towards entry into the Melbourne Cup.
Lead up races are also important as they provide horses with the chance to gain prize money. Prize money from lead up races can be used to help horses gain entry into the Melbourne Cup, as horses must pay a fee to enter the race.
Lead up races are also important as they give horses the chance to gain fitness and fitness experience. With the Melbourne Cup being a long distance race, horses must build up their fitness in the lead up to the race in order to be successful. Lead up races provide horses with the chance to test their fitness and to build the necessary stamina to run in the Melbourne Cup.
Rewards for Winning Lead Up Races
Lead up races are important for horses as they can provide them with the chance to gain valuable experience and prize money. Winning a lead up race can also provide horses with other rewards, such as:
- A Free Entry into the Melbourne Cup – The top 10 horses from the Caulfield Cup, the top four from the Cox Plate and the top five from the Mackinnon Stakes and the Herbert Power Stakes are all automatically entered into the Melbourne Cup.
- Prize Money – Winning a lead up race can provide a horse with valuable prize money, which can be used to help gain entry into the Melbourne Cup.
- Fame and Prestige – Winning a lead up race is a great achievement and can provide a horse with fame and prestige, as well as providing a boost to their reputation.
Conclusion
Lead up races are important for horses that are looking to gain entry into the Melbourne Cup. These races provide horses with the chance to gain valuable experience, points and prize money that can be used to gain entry into the Melbourne Cup.
The Caulfield Cup, the Cox Plate, the Mackinnon Stakes and the Herbert Power Stakes are some of the most important lead up races to the Melbourne Cup. These races provide horses with the chance to gain valuable points, as well as providing them with the chance to gain fame and prestige, and to gain prize money that can help them gain entry into the Melbourne Cup.