The 2025 Melbourne Spring Carnival will undergo significant changes, with three of Caulfield’s key Group 1 races shifted to new dates for the season.
Racing Victoria and the Melbourne Racing Club announced on Tuesday that both the Thousand Guineas and Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes will return to their traditional spots in October and September, while the CF Orr Stakes, a key autumn race, will now take place after the Melbourne Cup Carnival in mid-November.
The Thousand Guineas (1600m) will return to Caulfield Cup Day on October 18, a date it held before 1988. This change allows horses to compete in races like the G1 Empire Rose Stakes and VRC Oaks during the Melbourne Cup Carnival, two weeks after the G1 Flight Stakes in Sydney.
The Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) will also return to its September 20 date, restoring a dual Group 1 day alongside the Underwood Stakes and linking back to the G1 Toorak Handicap.
The CF Orr Stakes will now headline the November 15 meeting, addressing scheduling issues and providing additional opportunities for horses to earn G1 success.
Racing Victoria CEO Aaron Morrison and Melbourne Racing Club CEO Tom Reilly both emphasized that these changes will enhance the carnival, ensuring high-quality racing throughout the spring.
