How to Prepare for Races at Caulfield

Horse races at the Caulfield track can be a fun way to spend the day with the family or your mates! But if you haven’t been there before, we recommend familiarising yourself with the basics before you go. Here’s what you need to know to prepare for horse races at the Caulfield racecourse. 

1. Lock in your tickets

The first thing you need to do is lock in tickets for yourself and anyone else who is coming. Horse races at Caulfield attract 100s of people, so tickets to the race might sell out extremely fast, particularly for headline races like the Caulfield Cup or Guineas Day. If you wait till the last minute to book tickets, you’ll probably find that they are all sold out and you’ll miss out on the live action. There are a variety of ticket types that you can buy. For example

• General admission tickets are the tickets that get you through the gates and allow you into the public areas like the front lawn or grandstands
• Reserved seating is ideal if you want a spot that guarantees you a better view with more comfort
• The hospitality packages, or VIP tickets, give you access to premium services like food, exclusive club access and more

2. Plan ahead for transportation and parking

Planning how and when you’re getting to the racetrack is another important step in your preparation for attending races at Caulfield. For races that aren’t as popular, you could get there and within an hour from the race you want to watch. 

However, the lines can get long for races like the Caulfield Cup and the parking lot full. So, you may want to try to get there much earlier to ensure that you can get a good parking space and good seats if you’re sitting in the general public areas. Alternatively, you could catch a bus or taxi to the races as they have their own designated parking or drop-off area. 

3. Know the dress code

One thing you need to know about horse racing in Australia is that they aren’t all about horse racing. While horse racing is the main attraction, many Australians also use the races as an excuse to dress up a little. So much so that there’s actually a bit of a dress code expected of you when you attend a race. At the Caulfield track, you aren’t expected to dress in a formal uniform necessarily, but there are some expectations that you should know about. 

For men, you should try to to stick to a smart collared shirt, a sports or traditional blazer. If you’re in the more prestigious areas, ties are essential, and you need to wear closed shoes. Jeans are generally frowned upon. 

The ladies can wear dresses, jumpsuits, or tailored clothing if they wish. Headwear is optional. If you were on the front lawn in the sun, you may want a hat. For footwear, try wearing comfy heels or semi-formal shoes, as there is a good chance you may be on your feet for most of the day. 

While you won’t be asked to leave necessarily if you don’t adhere to the guidelines above (depending on the area), you might get a funny look from people. Avoid wearing clothes like denim, sneakers, or overly casual clothing items. As a rule of thumb, try to dress up, not down. 

4. Know what you need to bring

When you attend a racing event at the Caulfield track, it’s usually a whole-day outing. With that in mind, you don’t want to lug around a heavy backpack all day. Rather, you just want to have the essentials. Here are some items we would recommend you take:

• Make sure you have your ID and entrance tickets
• If you’re sitting in the grandstands or on the lawn, make sure that you pack sunglasses and sunscreen, as you might be in the sun the whole day
• Having a power bank is ideal, especially if you’re going to be using your phone often throughout the day
• Always have your wallet on you witha  card and some cash. While most vendors use card machines now, having cash on hand is always wise
• It’s always helpful to be prepared, so have a pocket poncho or an umbrella with you in case it rains

Where can you find out more information about the Caulfield Races?

If you are going to pursue betting, then one of the most important lessons you can learn is to always do your research and stay up to date with the odds and track info. Here is a helpful page from Ladbrokes where you can find out about everything surrounding the Caulfield Races. As one of the best betting sites out there, you’ll find everything you need to create a successful betting strategy. 

Final thoughts

Races at Caulfield are full of festivities, whether you’re an avid punter or simply out with your family. But before you attend a race, it would be in your best interest to learn what to expect when you’re at the track. Go over the tips above and familiarise yourself with them so you’re prepared when you attend races at Caulfield.