History of Cranbourne Racecourse

The Cranbourne Racecourse held has been holding race meetings ever since 1867, when there was a two day race meeting held on the 22nd and 23rd of April.  It is located in Victoria, Australia and has a nice picturesque location at the top part of the town.  It’s located just 42 kms south east of Melbourne, right off the South Gippsland Highway and 15 minutes from Dandenong and Frankston. The Cranbourne Racecourse is able to brag about its lovely race course that is irrigated and very well grassed.  It has a total circumference of 1700 meters and races are held in a counter clockwise direction.  It has a home straight of 300 meters, and culminates in an uphill run beginning at the 600 meter mark through the winning post.  The Cranbourne Turf Club maintains the racecourse and holds 22 Sunday race meetings every Sunday. 

The racecourse is able to lay claim to a unique fact – as it holds a special tricode raceday every year that features gallops, trots and dogs.  There are a total of 23 races run throughout the day, 8 for gallops and tros and seven for the dogs, with each race clocking in at 15 minutes.  It features many activities for the entire family to enjoy and is a great adventure and time to relax and have a drink or two while enjoying competitive racing and a good atmosphere.  The Cranbourne Cup is one of the more popular race meetings that take place here and it is held over a two day period in October every year.

In 2011, The Cranbourne Turf Club was announced as being the winner of the Victorian Country Club of the Year.  It enjoyed a very good season as it was one of the most successful seasons in recent record, as it was able to grow its sponsorship sales, attendance and total income.  This reward was the product of a year of hard work and determination to make the racecourse one of the finest in the area.

The Cranbourne Racecourse is home to the largest training facility in the Southern Hemisphere, as the horses trained there are regularly among the best all throughout Victoria.  Some notable horses to come from the training grounds at Cranbourne include eight time Group 1 winner Apache Cat, Sky Heights, Banana Man and Zarita.  These horses have all been making names  for themselves for being highly competitive and consistent winners.

The track has overcome diversity throughout the years despite not holding horse races from 1941 to 1947.  It has a storied history and offers great racing year round thanks to its unique track design.   You can contact the Cranbourne Turf Club by mail at PO Box 37 Grant Street, Cranbourne Victoria, 3977.  They can be reached by telephone at (03) 5996 1300, by fax at (03) 5996 4972 and by email at info@cranturfclub.com.au

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