The 2025 Victorian Spring Racing Carnival officially bursts out of the gates this Saturday with the Stow Storage Caulfield Spring Opener, headlined by the first Group 1 of the season, the $750,000 Stow Storage Memsie Stakes.
“There’s nothing quite like opening day at Caulfield,” said MRC Chairman, John Kanga. “The Stow Storage Caulfield Spring Opener not only delivers elite racing, but a vibrant trackside experience that celebrates everything we love about spring. From headline Group 1 action to the return of rising stars and off-track entertainment, it’s the perfect start to what is sure to be a phenomenal carnival.”
The Stow Storage Memsie Stakes promises a thrilling contest with a star-studded field, including last year’s victor Pinstriped, crowd favourites Antino, Treasurethe Moment, Fangirl, Tom Kitten, Mr Brightside, Buckaroo, and Another Wil. As the race that sets the tone for the spring, it offers a powerful preview of what is to come in the months ahead.
Adding to the excitement, the Group 3 McNeil Stakes showcases some of the most promising three-year-olds in the country. In a hotly anticipated contest, there are four hopefuls looking to maintain their unbeaten record - Vinrock (Matt Laurie, 3-0), Highvol (Nick Ryan, 2-0), McGaw (Emmalee & David Browne, 2-0), and Best of the Best (Mick Price & Michael Kent Jr, 1-0).
In the Group 3 Henley Homes Heath 1100, explosive sprinter She’s Bulletproof faces a competitive field, including Australian Guineas winner Feroce (Dom Sutton) and See You In Heaven.
Rounding out the Group racing action is the Group 3 Evergreen Turf Cockram Stakes, where rising star Pop Award seeks a remarkable sixth consecutive victory. Jockey Matthew Cartwright will once again ride for his mother Leonie Proctor and grandmother Lyn Tolson in what could be one of the day’s most compelling stories. Group 1 winner Magic Time, trained by the in-form Grahame Begg, adds class and intrigue to an already exceptional field.
Off the track, Caulfield will come alive with an array of food and entertainment options, including a fan-favourite food trucks and the ever-popular Mr Black’s Espresso Martini Bar. For fashion lovers, the Promenade Flat will host a dazzling millinery showcase, featuring head-turning designs from Zia Piazza Headwear, Felicity Northeast, Rachel Henry, and more.
A true celebration of spring racing, Stow Storage Caufield Spring Opener presents the perfect way to launch into the highly anticipated 2025 Victorian Spring Racing Carnival.
MRC Release