Spring Carnival at Flemington

The Spring Carnival of Melbourne, Australia, has just been launched and the first racing event for the carnival kicks off on Saturday, 4 October 2008, at the Flemington Racecourse. The Flemington Racecourse was opened in 1840 and it is fitting that the Spring Carnival, which is the biggest event in Australian horse racing, begins at this historic racetrack. Not even the influenza outbreak of last year could dampen the spirits of the Spring Carnival, and this year it is gearing up to be a fifty day racing carnival to remember.

One of the highlights of Saturday’s racing will be the Turnbull Stakes, in which the magnificent Weekend Hussler will be competing. Last year, Weekend Hussler obliterated the competition as a three year old, but this Spring Carnival will be different, he will be going after the big races. Weekend Hussler’s performance during the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes will determine the route his trainer, Ross McDonald, will be taking with him.

In 1954, a legendary horse by the name of Rising Fast was victorious in the Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate Cup and the Caulfield Cup, and has remained the only horse to accomplish this feat. It is believed that Rising Fast’s owner should have contested the results of his second place finish in the Melbourne Cup the following year, which with held Rising Fast from doing it again. And now Weekend Hussler and his trainer will be going for the same glory. The Caulfield Cup will be run at the Caulfield Racecourse on 18 October 2008, the Cox Plate will be held on the 25th of October 2008 at the Moonee Valley Racecourse, with the Melbourne Cup taking place on the 4th of November 2008 at the Flemington Racecourse.

Not only is the Spring Carnival a successful event for horse racing, luring numerous international competitors to Melbourne, but it has a positive impact on the economy. It creates jobs during the carnival and the fashion industry is boosted with thousands of handbags, shoes, hats and accessories being purchased by those who attend the racing events. There will be approximately eighty-five racing events taking place throughout the carnival and guests will undoubtedly be in for a carnival filled with superb racing action.