Ascot Racecourse (Western Australia)
Coordinates: 31°56′6″S 115°55′30″E / 31.93500°S 115.92500°E
Ascot Racecourse is the major racecourse in Perth, Western Australia, situated approximately 8 kilometres east of the Perth central business district, with the headquarters of the Perth Racing positioned directly opposite.
It is regarded as the 'grand old lady' of Australian racecourses.[1] Featuring a 2 km (9.94-furlong) track with modern, well drained turf, and a 300-metre inclining straight regarded by experts as the most severe test of stayers in Australia.
History
In 1848 a race meeting was held on J.W. Hardey's ‘Grove Farm’ alongside the Swan River. Soon afterwards a site was selected for a permanent course on Hardey's property - this became the Ascot Racecourse. In 1852, the West Australian Turf Club was formed.[2]
In 1897 a railway was constructed to the Racecourse.[3] The railway and station was removed in 1957.
Races
The following is a list of Group races which are run at Ascot Racecourse.
Grp | Race Name | Age | Sex | Weight | Distance | Date |
1 | Kingston Town Classic | 3YO+ | Open | wfa | 1800 | December |
1 | Railway Stakes | 3YO+ | Open | hcp | 1600 | November |
1 | Winterbottom Stakes | 3YO+ | Open | wfa | 1200 | November |
2 | C B Cox Stakes | 3YO+ | Open | wfa | 2100 | December |
2 | Karrakatta Plate | 2YO | Open | sw | 1200 | March |
2 | Lee Steere Stakes | 3YO+ | Open | wfa | 1400 | November |
2 | Perth Cup | 3YO+ | Open | hcp | 2400 | December |
2 | WATC Derby | 3YO | Open | sw | 2400 | April |
2 | WA Guineas | 3YO | Open | sw | 1600 | November |
3 | A J Scahill Stakes | 3YO+ | Open | wfa | 1400 | December |
3 | Asian Beau Stakes | 3YO+ | Open | hcp | 1400 | October |
3 | Colonel Reeves Stakes | 3YO+ | Open | hcp | 1100 | November |
3 | Lee Steere Classic | 3YO | Open | sw | 1400 | December |
3 | Prince Of Wales Stakes | 3YO+ | Open | wfa | 1200 | October |
3 | R J Peters Stakes | 3YO+ | Open | hcp | 1500 | November |
3 | WA Champion Fillies Stakes | 3YO | Fillies | sw | 1600 | November |
3 | WA Oaks | 3YO | Fillies | sw | 2400 | March |
3 | WATC Sires Produce | 2YO | Open | sw | 1400 | April |
Key
- hcp - handicap
- sw - set weights
- wfa - Weight for Age
Culture
The Perth Cup is Perth's feature event on the racing calendar held annually either on New Year's Day or a nearby Saturday.[4]
See also
- Belmont Park, Perth Racing's alternate season track to Ascot
- Ascot Racecourse in the United Kingdom.