Australian Summer Racing Carnival

You may think that with the Melbourne Cup over, a fantastic racing week comes to an end for another year, but this is not true, read on as there is further racing in the rest of the year. As the heat of summer arrives the racing carnival turns to Western Australia and Queensland. 

As usual, for each of the races, I have included the race name, race distance, whether Group 1 or 2 etc, the horse entry conditions including Weight-For-Age where applicable, the prize money and of course the racecourse.

Perth Summer Racing Carnival

Once the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival has finished, there is the opportunity for racers to travel over to Western Australia for more warm weather racing. For all intents and purposes almost all the races are held in Perth. These races listed are the most highly prized, especially the 1800m Group 1 Northerly Stakes (formerly the Kingston Town Classic) with the first race listed starting in late November and the final race during early January:

Date

Race Name

Status

Distance

Track

Prize Money

Last Winner

30/11/2024

Winterbottom Stakes

Group 1

1,200m

Ascot

$1,500,000

Overpass

07/12/2024

Northerly Stakes

Group 1

1,800m

Ascot

$1,500,000

Dom To Shoot

14/12/2024

The Gold Rush

Group 3

1,400m

Ascot

$1,500,000

Munhamek

01/01/2025

Perth Cup

Group 2

2,400m

Ascot

$1,000,000

Casino Seventeen

22/11/2025

Railway Stakes

Group 1

1,600m

Ascot

$1,500,000

Port Lockroy

Magic Millions (Gold Coast) Summer Racing Carnival

With $14m of Magic Millions prize money on offer nationwide and $11.25m on the Gold Coast alone on race-day, it is easy to see why the becoming more-famous-by-the-minute Gold Coast Magic Millions Summer Racing Carnival held annually in Queensland is so popular. For two weeks in January the Gold Coast Racecourse is the centre of attention. Just by viewing the prize money on offer you will easily see which are the races that gain the most punter attention with owners and trainers seeking their fortunes.

Date

Race Name

Status

Distance

Track

Prize Money

Last Winner

11/01/2025

Magic Millions 2YO Classic

Restricted Listed

1,200m

Gold Coast

$3,000,000

Storm Boy

11/01/2025

Magic Millions 3YO Guineas

Restricted Listed

1,400m

Gold Coast

$3,000,000

Abounding

Sydney Summer Racing Carnival

Race meetings are also held in Sydney and Melbourne during the Summer months. While not technically classified as a Racing Carnival, the most well-known race at Sydney is:

Date

Race Name

Status

Distance

Track

Prize Money

Last Winner

07/12/2024

The Ingham

Group 2

1,600m

Randwick

$2,000,000

Loch Eagle