All-Star Mile: Autumn racing is back at Flemington Racecourse

Autumn racing is back at Flemington this month, with an element of nostalgia. On Super Saturday, March 12, and The Seppelt Wines All-Star Mile on March 19, the emphasis is on family-friendly entertainment. (The third event in the trio, Australian Guineas Day, was on March 5.)

The Elms site will be converted into a fairground, with artisanal food and beverage stalls, a maker’s market, carnival rides, activities for the kids and plenty of live music. With top DJs and acts including Jungle Giants, Bag Raiders and Art vs Science performing on the front lawn and kicking on at Party After the Last, Flemington is pitching itself as a destination beyond the racetrack barriers.

Among the stallholders are gourmet sausage specialist Peter Bouchier, Dan’s Empanadas for Spanish pastry and the Country Women’s Association’s nostalgic cakes and baked goods. Calendar Cheese hits the spot with its speciality selection and Nico’s Deli elevates the experience of a trackside sandwich.

There really is something for everyone in the market stalls. Browology is available for free touch-ups on the day, Grown Florist is a stop for race-day posies and Bloom Brew is targeting skin and wellness needs. Cate N Jina’s macrame stall is where you learn the art of knotting string in patterns to make decorative pieces.

Glamour and dressing up in style is still the emphasis for members. Book to dine at The Byerley from $225 per person (the menu includes lamb tartare, jamon paletilla, prawn and scallop ravioli, and coconut-chocolate cardamom tart).

The Dining Room starts at $195 per person. Expect a menu of hot-smoked trout, free-range chicken and maple poached pears.

The tiered Atrium is $175 per head, and here autumnal produce is the focus. Think figs in prosciutto with honey and ricotta, slow-cooked lamb shoulder and barramundi with lemon butter.

Victoria Racing Club chairman Steve Rosich says welcoming full-capacity crowds back to Flemington is a moment he’s keenly awaited.

“Over summer we saw a renewed interest in attending Flemington and many people keen to engage in racing,” he says.

“It’s certainly great to know we can welcome more people and do what we do best – and hosting the world’s richest mile race is a fitting crescendo to these Saturday race days.”

Some of Australia’s best horses will race in the $1.5 million Group 1 TAB Australian Cup (over 2000 metres) and $1.5 million Group 1 Yulong Stud Newmarket Handicap (over 1200 metres) on March 12’s Super Saturday.

The world’s richest 1600-metre race, the All-Star Mile, will be run on March 19.

Rosich tips Home Affairs in the Newmarket Handicap, feeling the horse is well placed to back up his super win in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes. Australian Cup favourite is Spanish Mission, who finished third in the Lexus Melbourne Cup last year. Zaaki is one to watch in the All-Star Mile, with $5 million up for grabs.  ●

Autumn Racing Spectacular at Flemington \ Super Saturday, March 12; The Seppelt Wines All-Star Mile, March 19.
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