Moonee Valley redevelopment takes shape ahead of planned 2027 return

Moonee Valley Racecourse’s major redevelopment is progressing as Flemington Racecourse hosts today’s Cox Plate, with the new track taking shape and lighting poles installed ahead of a planned return to racing in 2027.

The Cox Plate is being held away from its traditional home for the first time in its history, following the closure of The Valley after last year’s carnival.

Almost a year later, the former grandstands have been demolished and extensive construction has transformed the site, including the reconfigured racing circuit, underpasses and supporting infrastructure.

Moonee Valley Racing Club is targeting AFL grand final eve in September 2027 for its first meeting back, ahead of the Cox Plate the following month. The reopening remains subject to Racing Victoria’s approval, with temporary spectator and hospitality facilities planned while the permanent grandstand follows on a longer delivery program.

The transformation of Moonee Valley Racecourse includes a new 1,702-metre circuit, measuring 30 metres wide, with the home straight extended from 173 metres to 317 metres.

The design retains the Cox Plate’s 2,040-metre starting position at the top of the straight, while relocating the main spectator precinct to the northern side along Wilson Street.

Civil contractor Symal began site establishment and early works in November 2025, followed by bulk earthworks and underpass construction in December.

The first track section was handed to Evergreen Turf in April, with the remaining sections progressively released through to September. All sections have now been handed over for racing-surface preparation.

Lighting poles were installed in June. September works included lighting switchboards, hydraulic connections and car park lighting infrastructure, alongside further progress on steward towers.

Four underpasses form part of the project, providing access for horses, pedestrians and vehicles. These include the Grandstand, Dean Street, Horse and Cox Place underpasses, with construction progressing through the year.

The maintenance precinct was handed over in June and horse stalls precinct in July. The final track retaining wall was completed in September, when work also began on the Dean Street shared path.

Symal’s scope includes more than 200,000 cubic metres of excavation, 127,000 cubic metres of fill, 6.8 kilometres of drainage and more than 27 kilometres of electrical conduits.

Turf installation is the next major milestone. At a media inspection earlier this month, the club indicated the new surface was expected to be laid in November, giving it time to establish before horses return next year.

While today’s Cox Plate takes place at Flemington Racecourse, the club is working towards bringing its signature event back to a substantially different venue.

Chief executive Michael Browell has outlined plans for temporary grandstands and corporate areas for the reopening, with suppliers Harry the Hirer and Space Cube involved in preparations.

The proposed arrangement draws on the temporary facilities used at the Australian Grand Prix and Flemington’s Birdcage precinct, combining spectator structures and hospitality areas with permanent racing infrastructure.

Browell has said the mounting yard, tie-up stalls, stewards’ offices and trainer and jockey rooms would be finished for the return of racing.

Racing Victoria must be satisfied with both the racing surface and the supporting facilities before meetings can resume. The club’s September 2027 target is later than the August reopening previously outlined.

The permanent grandstand and event centre remains a later stage of the Moonee Valley redevelopment.

In August, the club indicated it was looking to sign the grandstand construction contract in late 2027, aligning expenditure with proceeds from the adjoining residential development to reduce reliance on borrowing.

More recent reporting has described ambitions for a facility accommodating approximately 5,000 to 6,000 people across three-and-a-half levels from 2029. That remains a longer-term target rather than a confirmed opening date.

The event centre is intended to support functions, exhibitions and community events beyond race days, while the broader vision includes greater everyday use of the infield.

Alongside the racing works, the former grandstand footprint is being prepared for The Eveline apartment development within Moonee Valley Park, delivered with Hamton and Hostplus.

The construction program therefore extends beyond next year’s planned racing return, with the new track and essential race-day facilities taking priority ahead of the permanent spectator precinct.