HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL DAY: SHA TIN - SUNDAY DECEMBER 13

AUSTRALIAN horse racing enthusiasts who have travelled to some of the great international meetings like the Dubai World Cup, Kentucky Derby, Royal Ascot, Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Japan Cup and Hong Kong International insist there is one standout.

With no disrespect to some of the biggest draw-cards in world racing, seasoned overseas travellers insist that Hong Kong International Day at Sha Tin is the best meeting outside Australia where Melbourne Cup week remains their all-time favourite.

ONCE IN A LIFETIME VISIT TO THE CUP BECOMES ADDICTIVE

THOSE who love to Getaway and Go Racing will unanimously declare that Melbourne Cup week is an absolute must on the list of ‘things to do before you die.’

Many tell of planning this once-in-a-life time trip only to discover it was so addictive that they have returned every year since and never get tired of going.

AUSTRALIANS with a desire to ‘Getaway and Go Racing’ continue to rate Japan as one of the most popular overseas destinations despite the fact that the last local to win the Cup there was Better Loosen Up in 1992.

Their interest was no doubt boosted in more recent times when Japanese raiders, Delta Blues and Pop Rock, fought out the finish of the 2006 Melbourne Cup providing the land of the rising sun with its first win in our biggest race.

MOONEE VALLEY – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 2009

$3.05 MILLION W S COX PLATE – GROUP ONE  WFA

THE most famous weight-for-age race in Australia is undoubtedly the W S Cox Plate run at Moonee Valley each October between the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.

Named in honor of Sam Cox, the founder of Moonee Valley, the race is now acknowledged as one of the classic events of the international racing calendar and the only Southern Hemisphere race to be included in the World Series.

SCHWEPPES THOUSAND GUINEAS: Wednesday, October 14

BMW CAULFIELD CUP: Saturday, October 17

THE three-day Caulfield Cup carnival continues to grow in popularity and regular spring visitors regard it as more than just an exciting lead-up and stepping stone to Melbourne Cup week at Flemington in November.

Melbourne Racing Club attracts the carnival spotlight for The Age Caulfield Guineas meeting on October 10, the midweek Schweppes Thousand Guineas feature on October 14 and then the best lead-up to the Flemington two-mile, the BMW Caulfield Cup on October 17.

A SMORGASBORD OF VICTORIAN COUNTRY CUPS TO CHOOSE FROM

THE Victorian Spring Carnival showcases 50 days of world class horse racing and incorporates 85 feature meetings but for those with a taste for Country Cups there are more than 20 to choose from.

The carnival runs from the start of October to the end of November and last year attracted almost 758,000 race-goers, including 94,000 for interstate and overseas, who injected almost $550 million into the Victorian economy.

SEPTEMBER 25: MANIKATO STAKES meeting at MOONEE VALLEY

OCTOBER 3: EPSOM-METROPOLITAN Super Saturday at RANDWICK

FOOTBALL fans who love their racing have two great opportunities to combine both with spectacular weekends away when the AFL and NRL grand finals are played soon.

Those heading to Melbourne for the AFL Grand Final next Saturday, September 26, can take in the opening of night racing at Moonee Valley on Friday when the Group 1 Manikato and Group 2 Stutt Stakes will be run.

‘THE POINT’ BALLINA CUP: Thursday, September 10 2009

ONE of the most popular Country Cups in New South Wales will be run at Ballina on Thursday, September 10 and will this year be sponsored for the first time by The Point Restaurant and Bar.

“The club has entered into a 12-month sponsorship arrangement with ‘the Point’ and we are looking forward to a longer term arrangement,” Ballina Jockey Club chief executive officer, Sarah Wills, said.

NEWCASTLE SPRING CARNIVAL OFFERS RECORD STAKES THIS YEAR

Wednesday, September 17: Patinack Farm Cameron Handicap

Thursday, September 18: Tooheys New Newcastle Gold Cup

THE two-day Newcastle Jockey Club Spring Carnival attracts thousands of visitors each September and this year has the added incentive of a record $1 million in stakes.

The carnival, to be run at Broadmeadow on Wednesday and Thursday, September 16 and 17, will this year offer an incentive of $50,000 to any trainer who prepares the outright winners of four races over both days, including at least one of the four feature races.

CAIRNS – Friday & Saturday, SEPTEMBER 4 & 5 - 2009

THOUSANDS of visitors converge on Far North Queensland in early September for the annual Cairns Amateurs, which is much more than a horse racing carnival – in fact it offers something for everyone.

Those making the trip from all parts of the country and even overseas are not simply there for two days of horse racing. This is one of the biggest social events on the thoroughbred calendar and it offers an added bonus of being able to enjoy some of the most popular tourist attractions in Australia.