Derby Day kicks off Melbourne Cup carnival

VICTORIA DERBY DAY – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

* The premier day of Australian racing held at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday, November 4, 2017

* The first day of the Victoria Racing Club’s four-meeting Melbourne Cup carnival held across eight days in spring

* The 2017 form features nine black-type races, or those at the highest level of thoroughbred horse racing

* A total of $5.3 million prize money will be won across the day with $1.5 million on offer in the Victoria Derby

* The traditional dress code is black and white with some men opting to wear a grey morning suit

* The day ends with the official barrier draw for the Melbourne Cup, raced on the following Tuesday at 3pm

GROUP ONE RACES

* Coolmore Stud Stakes – 1200m, set weights, three-year-olds, no sex or class restriction, $1 million

* Victoria Derby – 2500m, set weights, three-year-olds, no sex or class restriction, $1.5 million

* Kennedy Mile/Cantala Stakes – 1600m, quality handicap, no age, sex or class restriction, $1 million

* Myer Classic – 1600m, weight-for-age, three-year-olds and up, fillies and mares, no class restriction, $500,000

GROUP TWO RACES

* Mumm Wakeful Stakes – 2000m, set weights plus penalties, three-year-olds, fillies, no class restriction, $300,000

* tab.com.au Stakes – 1200m, handicap, no age, sex or class restrictions, $300,000

GROUP THREE RACES

* Carbine Club Stakes – 1600m, set weights plus penalties, three-year-olds, no sex or class restriction, $200,000

* Lexus Stakes – 2500m, quality handicap, no age, sex or class restriction, $300,000

* Begonia Belle Stakes – 1100m, set weights plus penalties, four-year-olds and up, mares, no class restriction, $200,000