MOONEE VALLEY RACECOURSE

The S.R. Burson Stand and the Club Secretary's House (former) and garden are of individual significance and each have their own statement of significance.

The other buildings and structures at Moonee Valley Racecourse are not significant.

How is it significant?
The Moonee Valley Racecourse is of aesthetic, historical and social significance to the City of Moonee Valley.

Why is it significant?
The Moonee Valley Racecourse is historically significant as one of three metropolitan courses to have operated continuously since the nineteenth century. The racecourse was established in 1883, and by the 1920s had become one of the four major metropolitan racecourses. It is known throughout Australia for its races including the W S Cox Plate, which is the richest weight-for-age horse race in Australia and forms an integral part of Melbourne's Spring Racing Carnival. Many famous horses including Phar Lap have raced at Moonee Valley and the course is particularly associated with Manikato, which won five consecutive William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley and is now buried at the course.(Criterion A)

It is historically significant as a Club known for its innovation and for introducing ideas to improve racing both for the industry as well as for spectators. This reputation is attributed to the entrepreneurial vision of W.S. Cox. Among the many 'firsts' to take place at Moonee Valley Racecourse are the opening of the first on-course tote in 1931, the introduction of on-course broadcasting in 1933, the use of starting stalls in 1947, the recording of the first photo-finish dead heat in 1948, Sunday Racing and Night Racing. MVRC was also the first course to end segregation of the sexes, which had been in place since the 1940s, a policy that was continued by rival clubs until they too were forced to abolish it some years later (Criterion A).

The Moonee Valley Racecourse is historically and architecturally significant for its collection of buildings and features associated with racing in Victoria in the twentieth century. The high perimeter fence, a typical feature of metropolitan racecourses, is one of the earliest elements at the course and forms part of the horse stalls, which face toward the parade ground and saddling paddock. The significance of the horse stalls, formed in part by the high perimeter wall, is further enhanced by the nameplates of notable horses that have been stabled in each stall. The totalisator, one of the earliest surviving examples of this type of facility, demonstrates the change to on-course betting in Victoria in the 1930s. (Criterion D)

The Moonee Valley Racecourse is significant as a place with distinctive aesthetic qualities. The Inter-war elements, including the brick perimeter wall and adjacent horse stalls, mature trees including Elms and a Peppercorn, and a totalisator building are of evocative of a mid twentieth century metropolitan racecourse facility. (Criterion E)

The Moonee Valley Racecourse is socially significant as a facility that is known, and has been used and valued by both racegoers and the local community for over a century. Apart from its primary use it has also been used by other sporting and community associations and as a venue for major community celebrations and gatherings. (Criterion G)

The Moonee Valley Racecourse is historically significant for its associations with various people who played an important role in the development of horse racing in Victoria. These include the founder of the course - W.S. Cox - and his family, which played an influential role in horse racing in Victoria over the next 100 years; the long-time Chairman Alister Clark who is honoured by a memorial garden and the Alister Clark Stakes; and, A.V. Hiskens, among others. (Criterion H)

Group

Recreation and Entertainment

Category

Racecourse