Caulfield Guineas 2017: Everything you need to know about the three-year-olds classic mile

RUN over a mile, the Caulfield Guineas is considered “the stallion-making race” and an early highlight to the spring. Here’s everything you need to know.

REGARDED by many as the stallion-making race, the $2 million Group 1 Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas (1600m) is right at the of top of the spring hit list for owners, breeders and trainers.

Each year the Caulfield Guineas field attracts the best three-year-olds in the land, with colts and geldings dominating the line-up.

The fillies tend to stick to their own kind in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas over the same distance on the same day.

The day is regarded as one of Australia’s most exciting and prestigious race days, and despite the focus on the youngsters, the support card is exceptional and features two other Group 1s.

The afternoon also sees the running of the $1 million Caulfield Stakes (2000m) and the time-honoured Toorak Handicap, which carries $500,000 in prizemoney and is the third major event contested over the mile journey.

To complement the elite thoroughbreds on the bumper 10-race card, there’s plenty of colour, fashion and entertainment as the spring carnival really takes hold as the No. 1 ticket in town.

So, whatever you’re planning for the first big day at track affectionately know as The Heath — from dress codes to backing a winner — here’s everything you need to know.

CAULFIELD GUINEAS — THE RACE

Distance: 1600m

Conditions: Set weights. (colts & geldings 56.5kg, fillies 54.5kg)

Status: Group 1

WHERE

Caulfield Racecourse (Station St) is situated

opposite Caulfield train station.

WHEN

Saturday October 14, 2017

TIME

2017 Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas 4.30pm

2017 Schweppes Thousand Guineas 3.50pm

HOW TO WATCH

We will live blog the day from 10am right through until after the final race.

TV: Channel 7 will air the race day coverage

FAVOURITES

The Tony McEvoy-trained Royal Symphony (Caulfield Guineas) and Lindsay Park-prepared Catchy (Thousand Guineas) are the two standout candidates.

PRIZEMONEY

This year’s Caulfield Guineas offers a purse of $2 million, while the Thousand Guineas carries a tidy purse of $500,000.

THIS TIME LAST YEAR

The Sydney tsunami again took out both Guineas races at Caulfield last year, with Divine Prophet continuing the dominance of Sydney-trained three-year-olds in the Caulfield Guineas.

A combination of the perfect ally and the perfect ride were the keys to the victory of Divine Prophet, a $7 chance.

In the fillies’ shootout, it was the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Global Glamour who really did shine for the girls.

Raced by a syndicate of about 40 women from seven countries, the filly made it two Group 1s wins in seven days. Only the week before Global Glamour had won the Group 1 Flight Stakes at Randwick.

Royal Symphony is favourite for this year’s Caulfield Guineas. Picture: Getty Images

TICKETS

Very underrated meeting but with four Group 1s it really is a genuine jewel that comes early in the spring. Tickets selling fast so get in early to avoid disappointment.

Adults: $55

Children (14-17): $55

Children Under 14: Free (must be accompanied by an adult)

Pensioners: $30

MORE HERE: TICKETS

HOW TO GET THERE

Plenty of options to find your way to Melbourne’s second biggest racecourse:

UBER & TAXI/LIMO/PRIVATE CAR

Wearing heels and not keen to walk.

TRAIN

Frankston, Dandenong, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines depart regularly from Flinders Street to Caulfield Station, located directly opposite the course. The journey takes about 15 minutes.

TRAM

Racegoers can catch a 3a tram and alight at Stop 56. From the city, route 3a travels along Swanston St, St Kilda Rd and St Kilda Beach and operates weekends only. The journey takes 25 minutes. From East Malvern, Route 3/3a services travel along Waverley Rd.

MORE HERE: MELBOURNE TRANSPORT

DRESS CODE

Opening day for fashions on the field as we get our first real look at what is going to be at the forefront of fashion for the spring. Lavender is the traditional flower for Guineas Day.

ENTERTAINMENT

ARIA award-winning Australian rock band The Temper Trap will perform live at this year’s Caulfield Guineas Day.

WEATHER

It’s been a late spring and we still haven’t shaken off winter. Be prepared for your traditional spring day ... 30C one minute, hailstorm the next. Monitor closely race-day morning.

FULL FIELDS

Fields and barrier draws for both the Caulfield Guineas and Thousand Guineas are confirmed on Tuesday October 10 at 10.30am-12pm

Get your backside trackside: It’s hard to go past Caulfield Guineas Day. Picture: Mark Dadswell