Other Cup Day Races
It is not all about the Cup for racing enthusiasts on Geelong Cup Day and there are some races that are highly sought after by connections of the entrants.
We know that the winner of the Cup receives a Golden Tickets into the Melbourne Cup but other races on Geelong Cup Day are worth more than the prize money for the winners with some races providing Silver tickets for horses to race for bigger riches throughout the Spring carnival.
Geelong Classic
3YO Geelong Classic - 2200 METRES
Of $200,000. 1st $120,000, 2nd $36,000, 3rd $18,000, 4th $9,000, 5th $5,000, 6th $4,000, 7th $4,000, 8th $4,000
No class restriction, Set Weights plus Penalties, Three-Years-Old, No sex restriction
Apprentices cannot claim.
The second highlight of the day in a race now contested by both sexes. Back in the day, this race was known as the Geelong Derby Trial and was restricted to Colts & Geldings. The girls (fillies) had their own race on the Thursday, the Geelong Oaks trial.
Backing up on the Thursday always required great effort. However, it did provide value for the hired suit if it was still in clean enough condition after the Cup Eve event and Cup Day.
Dual Choice Plate
Dual Choice Plate - 1200 METRES
Of $75,000. 1st $41,250, 2nd $13,500, 3rd $6,750, 4th $3,750, 5th $2,250, 6th $1,500, 7th $1,500, 8th $1,500, 9th $1,500, 10th $1,500
BenchMark 84, Handicap, Three-Years-Old and Upwards, No sex restriction
Apprentices can claim.
Another race that (I think) was also raced on the Thursday. Named after one of the best race horses of her time, she won,
04/10/69 Flemington Maribrynong Stakes from Copy Cat by 6 lengths
11/10/69 Caulfield Debutante Stakes from Copy Cat by 1 length
13/12/69 Caulfield Kooyong Handicap from Blue Honey by 5 lengths
01/01/70 Flemington Stradbroke Handicap from Remote Control by 3 lengths
21/02/70 Caulfield Merson Cooper Stakes from Coalcliff by 3 lengths
07/03/70 VRC Sires Produce Stakes from Royal Show by 2 lengths
15/08/70 Moonee Valley Freeway Stakes by 2 lengths from Swift And Sure
03/10/70 Edward Manifold Stakes from Sanderae by 4 lengths
10/10/70 Caulfield Guineas from Eastern Court by 3 lengths
31/10/70 Flemington Craven A Stakes from Tauto by half a head
13/02/71 VRC Lightning Stakes from Tauto and Baguette by 1 and a half lengths
20/02/71 Caulfield Oakleigh Plate from Tango Miss by 3 lengths
21/08/71 Moonee Valley Freeway Stakes from Eleazar by 1 and a half lengths
11/09/71 Flemington Craiglee Stakes from Tauto by 2 and a half lengths
31/01/72 Moonee Valley William Reid Stakes from Baguette by 2 lengths
26/02/72 Caulfield Oakleigh Plate from Royal Canvas by 1 length
Trained out of Geelong by Ken White
Silver Ticket Races
BM70 Handicap (2400 METRES)
Of $50,000. 1st $27,500, 2nd $9,000, 3rd $4,500, 4th $2,500, 5th $1,500, 6th $1,000, 7th $1,000, 8th $1,000, 9th $1,000, 10th $1,000
BenchMark 70, Handicap, Three-Years-Old and Upwards, No sex restriction
MRC Grand Handicap 2400m Heat 4: The winner of this race will be exempt from the ballot in the $200k BM80 2400m Grand Handicap at Caulfield on Saturday 15 November. See final for full ballot conditions.
Apprentices can claim.
BM66 Handicap (1100 METRES)
Of $50,000. 1st $27,500, 2nd $9,000, 3rd $4,500, 4th $2,500, 5th $1,500, 6th $1,000, 7th $1,000, 8th $1,000, 9th $1,000, 10th $1,000
BenchMark 66, Handicap, Three-Years-Old and Upwards, No sex restriction
The winner of this race will be exempt from the ballot in the $150k BM80 1100m Grand Handicap at Flemington on Saturday 8 November. See final for full ballot conditions
Apprentices can claim.
BM70 Handicap (1700 METRES)
Of $50,000. 1st $27,500, 2nd $9,000, 3rd $4,500, 4th $2,500, 5th $1,500, 6th $1,000, 7th $1,000, 8th $1,000, 9th $1,000, 10th $1,000
BenchMark 70, Handicap, Three-Years-Old and Upwards, No sex restriction
The winner of this race will be exempt from the ballot in the $150k BM80 2000m Grand Handicap at Flemington on Tuesday 4 November. See final for full ballot conditions
Apprentices can claim.
Special Conditions
BM78 Hcp (MCC Series Heat) (1500 METRES)
Of $100,000. 1st $55,000, 2nd $18,000, 3rd $9,000, 4th $5,000, 5th $3,000, 6th $2,000, 7th $2,000, 8th $2,000, 9th $2,000, 10th $2,000
BenchMark 78, Handicap, No age restriction, No sex restriction
For trainers licensed in Victoria that have not had 15 or more Metro winners (all states, overseas wins will be treated as metro winners) in the previously completed racing season (2024/25) Horses must have been trained by an Eligible Victorian trainer since 1 August 2025 (to be determined by the Stable Return). Trainers with a International training base are ineligible.
Apprentices cannot claim.
Supporting Races
BM70 Handicap (1300 METRES)
Of $50,000. 1st $27,500, 2nd $9,000, 3rd $4,500, 4th $2,500, 5th $1,500, 6th $1,000, 7th $1,000, 8th $1,000, 9th $1,000, 10th $1,000
BenchMark 70, Handicap, Three-Years-Old and Upwards, No sex restriction
Apprentices can claim.
BM66 Handicap (1400 METRES)
Of $50,000. 1st $27,500, 2nd $9,000, 3rd $4,500, 4th $2,500, 5th $1,500, 6th $1,000, 7th $1,000, 8th $1,000, 9th $1,000, 10th $1,000
BenchMark 66, Handicap, Three-Years-Old and Upwards, No sex restriction
Apprentices can claim.