The Geelong Cup is a major curtain raiser to the Melbourne Cup and one of the favourite races on the Spring Racing Calendar. Dating back to 1872 there has been many a winner who has gone on to also take out the Melbourne Cup a fortnight later.

The Geelong Cup is as much a horse race as it is the biggest day on the Geelong Social calendar. Thousands put on their finest clothes and head down to the track for some fun and a flutter. The fashions on the field is the chance for the finest dressed ladies to show their lovely costumes and is one of the most popular event off the track.

The member's car park takes on a carnival atmosphere, where people pull up their cars and unload their gourmet picnics many enjoying the atmosphere so much they don't even bother to see a horse race.

The main race, the Cup is held over 2400 meters and is a real buzz with the large betting rings jammed with punters and the grass in front of the stands filled excitement as everyone tries their luck at picking a winner.

The Geelong Race Club has good facilities with huge grandstands and plenty of lawn area where people can spread out with a rug and enjoy a picnic while overlooking the track and on course action. There are large open betting areas and plenty of places to pick up some food and refreshments.

For many the Cup finishes with a bus to the local nightclubs, pubs and bars; without a thought for "work tomorrow". There are always a few Cinderella stories, where the cup patron goes out looking like a princess but comes home with a shoe missing or very tired and emotional after a day of fun. Usually a few nights sleep fixes that and everyone is right to party again by the weekend.