Published 17 October 2026
Caulfield Cup Day 2026 runs from 10:30am gates to the last race at 5:50pm AEDT on Saturday 17 October. The Caulfield Cup is race 9 at 5:15pm AEDT (MRC). It is a 10-race card with two Group 1 races, the Thousand Guineas at 3:45pm and the Cup. You can watch live, free, on Seven and 7plus from 12pm AEDT (7NEWS).
| Caulfield Cup Day 2026 at a glance | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday 17 October 2026 (150th Caulfield Cup) |
| Gates open | 10:30am AEDT |
| First race | 12:15pm AEDT |
| Thousand Guineas (G1) | 3:45pm AEDT |
| Caulfield Cup (G1, 2400m) | 5:15pm AEDT |
| Last race | 5:50pm AEDT |
| Watch | Seven, 7plus Sport, Racing.com |
| Official results | Racing.com and the Melbourne Racing Club |
Sources: Melbourne Racing Club, 7NEWS, Racing.com.
Photo: Caulfield Racecourse, Celco85, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
On a big race day, food is part of the plan as much as the racing. The MRC's 2026 program lists a Jockey Club Food Lane and a pre-race celebration for the 150th Cup. Whether you are on course or hosting at home, this timeline helps you plan the day.
What time are the races on Caulfield Cup Day?
| Race | Time (AEDT) | Race (2026 name) | Grade | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12:15pm | Sportsbet Classic | Group 3 | 2000m |
| 2 | 12:50pm | Sharp EIT Solutions Ethereal Stakes | Group 3 | 2000m |
| 3 | 1:25pm | Manhari Alinghi Stakes | Listed | 1100m |
| 4 | 2:00pm | Quayclean Gothic Stakes | Listed | 1400m |
| 5 | 2:35pm | Sportsbet Harry White Stakes | Group 3 | 1400m |
| 6 | 3:10pm | Henley Homes Sprint | Group 2 | 1000m |
| 7 | 3:45pm | Stow Storage Thousand Guineas | Group 1 | 1600m |
| 8 | 4:30pm | Catanach's Jewellers Blue Sapphire Stakes | Group 3 | 1200m |
| 9 | 5:15pm | Sportsbet Caulfield Cup | Group 1 | 2400m |
| 10 | 5:50pm | Nationwide Tristarc Stakes | Group 2 | 1400m |
Source: Melbourne Racing Club race book for 17 October 2026 and the Racing Victoria 2026 spring program.
All times are AEDT. Start times can shift slightly on the day.
How can I follow the Caulfield Cup live?
- TV: Seven and 7plus Sport, from 12pm AEDT in Melbourne and Sydney (7NEWS).
- Racing.com: live from Caulfield from 11:30am AEDT on its website and app, and on channels 68/78, Foxtel 529 and Kayo (Racing.com).
- Radio: Triple M / LiSTNR and SEN Track.
- Race information: the Caulfield Cup race-day page on Race.com.au has race details and recent winners. It is an independent site; the MRC runs the race.
What happens in the build-up to 5:15pm?
The Thousand Guineas, a Group 1 for three-year-old fillies over 1600m, is at 3:45pm. The Blue Sapphire Stakes follows at 4:30pm, and then the Caulfield Cup at 5:15pm. The Tristarc Stakes closes the card at 5:50pm. If you are on course, give yourself time to move between the food areas and the viewing areas well before the Cup.
How is the Caulfield Cup run?
It is a Group 1 handicap over 2400 metres for horses aged three and over, run anti-clockwise at Caulfield, with up to 18 starters. The 2026 race carries $6 million in prize money, with $3.3 million to the winner (Racing.com). Recent winners include Half Yours (2025, Jamie Melham), Duke De Sessa (2024) and Without A Fight (2023).
Where will the official result appear?
Official results are published by Racing.com and the Melbourne Racing Club once stewards confirm them. That can take a few extra minutes if there is a protest or inquiry, so wait for the official result. For racing coverage through the rest of the carnival, see Race.com.au.
Planning food for a Cup-day gathering
- Time the main course for after the Guineas. Between 3:45pm and 5:15pm AEDT there is a natural break.
- Keep snacks ready for 5pm. The Cup takes about two and a half minutes, and nobody wants to miss it at the oven.
- Watch in the right time zone. The Cup is 2:15pm in Perth, 4:15pm in Brisbane and 4:45pm in Adelaide.
- On course? Check the MRC's site for food areas, bag rules and what you can bring in.
What comes next?
The Melbourne Cup is on Tuesday 3 November 2026, 17 days after Caulfield. The Cox Plate is at Flemington on Saturday 24 October this year. Melbourne's spring calendar is also a good time for a food tour.
Frequently asked questions
What time is the Caulfield Cup 2026? 5:15pm AEDT on Saturday 17 October 2026. It is race 9 of 10 at Caulfield.
What channel is the Caulfield Cup on? Seven and 7plus Sport, free-to-air, with coverage from 12pm AEDT in Melbourne and Sydney. Racing.com also broadcasts and streams the meeting.
What is the other Group 1 race on Caulfield Cup Day? The Thousand Guineas (1600m) for three-year-old fillies, at 3:45pm AEDT.
How long is the Caulfield Cup? 2400 metres, raced anti-clockwise at Caulfield.
Where can I see the official result? On Racing.com and the Melbourne Racing Club website, once stewards confirm it.
Information only, not betting advice. We checked these details against the Melbourne Racing Club, Racing Victoria and Racing.com on 17 October 2026. Times and arrangements can change on the day, so confirm with the official sources linked above. Race.com.au is an independent racing information site, not the official race organiser; the Melbourne Racing Club runs the Caulfield Cup. If gambling is a problem for you or someone you know, call Gambling Help on 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. Gamble responsibly.