Group 1 racing returns to Sandown as MRC unveils 2026/27 fixture shake-up

The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has confirmed its 2026/27 racing calendar, highlighted by the return of Group 1 racing to Sportsbet Sandown and a series of transferred feature meetings from Moonee Valley.

Sandown Hillside will take centre stage during the 2026 Spring Racing Carnival, hosting two Group 1 contests, including the C.F. Orr Stakes meeting on November 14.

Among the key changes, the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) will be run at Sandown Hillside on September 5 after being transferred from Moonee Valley.

MRC Chief Executive Tanya Fullarton said the new season provided a major opportunity to showcase the strength of the club’s venues.

“Sportsbet Sandown is a proven metropolitan racing venue and will have a significant role in the 2026/27 season,” Fullarton said.

“The return of Group 1 racing to Sandown is a great outcome for the Club and for Victorian racing. Sandown has long demonstrated its capacity to host racing of this calibre throughout the season.”

Several other high-profile meetings from Moonee Valley will be staged at Caulfield, including the Group 1 William Reid Stakes on March 20 and the Group 1 Manikato Stakes, which will feature in a combined MRC/MVRC meeting on September 27.

“The MRC has worked closely with MVRC and Racing Victoria to deliver these meetings in a way that supports the broader Victorian racing calendar,” Fullarton said.

“These are important racedays, carrying major races and strong industry interest. The Club is well placed to host them.”

Caulfield will continue to anchor the spring with its traditional features, including the Memsie Stakes, the Underwood and Rupert Clarke Stakes meeting, the Caulfield Guineas, and the Caulfield Cup.

Following the Caulfield Cup meeting on October 17, the track will undergo major resurfacing works—its first significant upgrade since 2014—with racing set to resume on January 30, 2027 ahead of the autumn carnival.

That return will lead into key meetings such as the Blue Diamond Stakes raceday on February 20.

Mornington will again feature in the schedule with two Saturday meetings, including the Mornington Cup on April 17.

“There will be some changes to the Club’s usual fixture list after the 2026 Caulfield Cup Carnival,” Fullarton said.

“Sandown and Mornington will play important roles through the summer period before Caulfield and Caulfield Heath return in the new year.”

The 2026/27 season will include 78 race meetings across MRC venues, with Sandown hosting 28, Caulfield 19, Mornington 17 and Caulfield Heath 14.

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