Caulfield Cup: a Group 1 test over 2,400 metres
VenueCaulfield Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia
Dates2026-10-17
Distance2400 metres
ClassGroup 1
The Caulfield Cup takes place at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne on Saturday, 17 October 2026. Melbourne Racing Club lists it as a Group 1 over 2,400 metres, while Victoria Racing Club includes it among the qualifying races for the Melbourne Cup.
The race is a Quality Handicap. Assigned weights therefore form part of the assessment alongside each horse’s ability to sustain the distance. Victoria Racing Club’s programme specifies that apprentices cannot claim a weight allowance.
Under the 2026 Golden Ticket programme, the winner receives ballot exemption for the Melbourne Cup. The race offers staying horses both a major title in its own right and a direct qualifying route towards the November feature.