Spring Carnival in Melbourne Australia has nothing to do with Brazilian Samba music or funny dress-ups. Spring carnival is all about horses and fashion. Although racing in Australia is held every day except Good Friday and Christmas Day, the Group One races in Melbourne are held almost exclusively throughout the month of October during Spring Carnival, which is conveniently placed between the football and cricket seasons. During the winter (where football is dominant), and summer (where cricket is dominant), racing takes a 'back seat' position in relation to the cricket or football in terms of media coverage and attendances. However, in spring the mass media turns its attention to the racing and you will not be able to escape it. Each week another race takes place, and each event is attended by close to hundred thousand visitors. The highlight, the Melbourne Cup, attracts well over hundred thousand spectators.

Fashion

Melbourne Cup

The biggest race is the Melbourne Cup. The Melbourne Cup is Australia's major annual horse race over two miles. The event is held at 3 pm on the first Tuesday in November (Tuesday the 3rd of November this year. Be aware: all classes will be cancelled this day!)  by the Victoria Racing Club, on the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. It is known as `The race that stops a nation`, as it is the only horserace in the world that has been turned into a public holyday (Melbourne only). For Federal Public Servants it is also observed as a holiday in the entire state of Victoria, and since 2007 also in the Australian Capital Territory.

Caulfield Carnival

• The Caulfield Guineas is held on the Saturday three weeks before the Victoria Derby. The guineas are a set-weights race for three year-olds. Other group one races are held on this day.
• The Caulfield Thousand Guineas for three-year-old fillies is held on the Wednesday following the Saturday Caulfield Guineas.
• The Caulfield Cup is held on the Saturday on the weekend following the Guineas meeting.

Flemington Spring Carnival

• The Victoria Derby is held on the Saturday before the Melbourne Cup. It is a set-weights race for three-year-old horses. There are also other major races held on this day as well, making it the biggest day in racing.
• The Melbourne Cup handicap race is held on the first Tuesday in November, and is a public holiday in Victoria, but the Cup is witnessed by those all around Australia as well as internationally.
• The VRC Oaks race is held on the Thursday following the Cup. It is a three-year-old fillies race, and traditionally it has been known as 'ladies' day'.
• The VRC Stakes is held on the Saturday following the Oaks, and traditionally it has been known as 'family day'.