The Geelong Cup is a major curtain raiser to the Melbourne Cup and one of the favourite races in the Spring Racing Calendar, and over the years many a winner have gone on to win the big one a fortnight later. In 2002 Media Puzzle with Damian Oliver went on to win the Melbourne Cup after its trophy taking run in the Geelong Cup. Oliver also had success in 2008 with his mighty ride on Bauer. Americain and Dunaden took home both cups in 2010 and 2011 respectively.
The Geelong Cup is more than a horse race it is the social event of the year on the Geelong calendar that has been running since 1872. Thousands put on their finest clothes and head down to the track for some fun and a flutter. Crowds in recent years have been estimated at around 16 – 18, 000. The fashions on the field is the chance for the finest dressed ladies to show their lovely costumes and is one of the most popular events off the track. Not all people turn up in their finery, there’s always some people wearing weird costumes and fancy dress which make the day a bit of a giggle. Many times the fancy dress theme happens in groups, where a group of guys might decide to dress as nuns or as cave men or similar.
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The member’s car park takes on a carnival atmosphere, where people pull up their cars and unload their gourmet picnics; there are also some corporate marquees where people can enjoy the day in style grazing on beautiful smorgasbords and platters while having a few glasses of bubbly. Some of the larger pubs and restaurants have huge tents where race goers can party with DJ’s, bands and even betting facilities.
Hall Of Fame
The main race, the Geelong Cup, is held over 2400 meters with about $300000 in prize money. In 2008 alone an estimated 6.1 million dollars was bet on the race around Australia. The large betting rings are a buzz with excitement as punters try their luck at picking a winner or two.
The Geelong Race Club has good facilities with huge grandstands and plenty of lawn area where people can spread out with a rug and enjoy a picnic while overlooking the track. There are large open betting areas and plenty of bars. There are the usual food caravans offering good fast food and plenty of places to take a breather.
The day is a public holiday to many in Geelong, over recent years about half of the local businesses take the Geelong Cup day off, while many wait until November to take off the Melbourne Cup day. The Geelong Cup, a recognized group 3 thoroughbred race, is usually run on the third Wednesday of October.
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The Geelong Cup usually finishes for many back on the free busses to the local nightclubs and bars; without a thought that it’s only Wednesday and there’s work again tomorrow. There are usually a few sore heads on Thursday after the cup and it is usually not the most productive for many around the town. There are plenty of Cinderella stories, where a racegoer goes out looking like a princess but comes home with a shoe missing or a bit tired and emotional. Well a few nights sleep fixes that, and they are usually right to party again by the weekend.Whether you’re heading to the race or avoiding it completely, here are the best things to do (or specials to take advantage of) in Geelong this Cup Day.
The Spring Racing Carnival is arguably one of the most exciting times of the year. With the fashion, food, social experience and the best from the racing scene, The bet365 Geelong Cup is a winning day out for everyone west of Melbourne. Held at the Geelong Racecourse, the Geelong Cup is traditionally held on a Wednesday, 13 days prior to the running of the Melbourne Cup. It is an open handicap race over 2, 400 metres and forms the prolific Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
Held on Wednesday 19th October 2022, the bet365 Geelong Cup also means a public holiday throughout the City of Greater Geelong municipality. While not every business will observe the Geelong Cup as a public holiday, some certainly do.
Geelong Cup 2023
Located in the outdoor space at the Pakington Street salon Blush Bar, Bubbles Bar is a rather fancy little wine garden serving up frivolous fun and a gorgeous array of your favourites for sipping pretty.
For Geelong Cup, the pastel-coloured bar will be hosting a bottomless sips and platter event. There’s two sittings available, one at 11am-2pm and one at 3pm – 6pm with delicious sweet and savoury platters, a Blush Bar Touchup Station, a Big Screen to watch the race/s, and a hand-selected menu for three hours of bottomless sips.
Thoughtful and delicious with an Instagram-ready exterior that calls for good vibes and summer fun, this is the perfect race-day space where everyone can feel beautiful with pink hues, festoon lighting, cosy couches and luscious greenery.
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High above the hustle and bustle of the High Street is this relaxed rooftop oasis boasting killer views and tasty cocktails – the perfect formula for a memorable Cup Day. The
Embracing their art-deco interior with complimentary classic pub meal meets fining dining selection and their wide cocktail range, the Belmont will be serving lunch from 12pm and dinner from 5:30pm with a DJ on the rooftop from 4pm onwards for all your After Party shenanigans.
Pioneer Exhibition Game
Nestled on the eastern fringe of the City of Geelong, The Elephant & Castle Hotel has been part of the landscape in town for years now, with a history stretching back over 130 years. Owned by Geelong’s infamous Darryn Lyons, the last 20 months in and out of lockdown have truly made us appreciate the quirky, yet classic interior, the endless roster of live entertainment, the welcoming patrons and the generous pub feeds.
For Geelong Cup, the Elephant will be hosting an epic after party (whether you attend or not!) featuring DJs Jim Danza and Josh Tufino in The Main Bar from 5pm, plus, Luke Biscan in the Beer Garden from 6pm. For those attending the cup, the venue are providing free buses to and from the racecourse. Oh and the best part, this party is free entry!
We probably should mention the actual Cup is also an event happening on the day. This year will see the 20 year anniversary of Media Puzzle winning the Geelong/Melbourne Cup double celebrated on what will no doubt be another outstanding day of racing – the form race leading into the Melbourne Cup.
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With a range of hospitality packages to suit your budget, celebrate this year’s Cup in style. General admission is still available and there’s also tickets remaining at The Sporting Globe Geelong Beer Garden where you can also catch Peoples Poets playing live and you’ll also get entry and bus transfers to the Sporting Globe After Party.
A favourite of the event, Fashions on the Field will return once again with keen entrants invited to register on course on Wednesday 19th October Fashions Stage between 10:30 – 11:45am. Entrants must be 18 years and older with categories including McGrath Frock of the Day, McGrath Suit of the Day and Blush Bar Millinery of the Day.
The Sporting Globe have been long term partners with the Geelong Racing Club, and so when it comes to a party on race day, they’ve got it well and truly covered. For those that miss your chance at partying it up with The Sporting Globe at their live site, or if you just want to party minus the race, follow the party back to the venue itself to continue the celebrations.
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There will be a live band upstairs and special guest DJ in the beer garden, plus a tonne of member drink offers available including $9.5 Furphy Original Pints, $9.5 Furphy Crisp Pints, $10.9 Spring Sunshine Cocktail and $12.9 Pink Lemonade Cocktail.
Whether you’ve been revelling all day at the racecourse with us or you’re arriving fresh as a daisy for the home stretch, Piano Bar’s dance floor in central Geelong will be ready and waiting for you at this mid-week shindig.
The party will kick off from 5:30pm with requests flowing, the piano man and vocalist chomping at the bit to play your requests and a full bar and kitchen menus available. Tickets are just $10.
Hens & Bucks Parties — Circarts Geelong
As with many of the pubs on this list, Geelong Hotel has had many names, including the unforgettable Bended Elbow, and seen many faces. With a much needed facelift, Geelong Hotel (better known to locals as GH), is a Friday and Saturday night go to for a classic pub meal, standout cocktails, beats galore and the occasional live music act in their dedicated upstairs bandroom.
For Geelong Cup, the team will be hosting live entertainment from 5pm with a slew of food and drink specials to keep the party going. Expect to find $5 Furphy schooners, 2 for