Crown Oaks Day returns to Flemington Racecourse on Thursday, 5 November 2026, for the third meeting of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

The nine-race programme begins at 1:00 pm AEDT, with the Group 1 Crown Oaks scheduled for 5:10 pm. The feature race brings together three-year-old fillies competing over 2500 metres for $1 million in prize money.

Following Victoria Derby Day on 31 October and Melbourne Cup Day on 3 November, the Carnival continues with another Group 1 event before the final meeting on Saturday.

The Crown Oaks field has undergone a change following the scratching of Waiheke Rose on Wednesday, 4 November.

Here are the updated field details, barriers, jockeys and full Flemington race schedule.

Crown Oaks Day 2026 Race Information

All race times are listed in Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT).

Crown Oaks 2026 Updated Field, Barriers and Jockeys

The 2026 Crown Oaks field was declared ahead of Thursday’s Group 1 race at Flemington.

The race is restricted to three-year-old fillies and is conducted under set-weight conditions, with each runner allocated 56kg.

The original declaration included 16 runners and four emergencies. Waiheke Rose was scratched at 11:43 am AEDT on Wednesday, 4 November, resulting in revised barrier positions.

The following table reflects the updated field information.

Crown Oaks 2026 Scratching Update

Waiheke Rose, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, was scratched from the Crown Oaks at 11:43 am AEDT on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.

The filly was originally allocated saddlecloth number 14 and barrier six, with Jordan Childs named as her jockey.

Her withdrawal has resulted in changes to the effective barrier positions of several remaining runners.

The original saddlecloth numbers have been retained in the updated field table, which is why number 14 is absent.

Crown Oaks 2026 Emergencies

The following fillies were named as emergencies in the original declaration. Their inclusion in the final starting field remains subject to official confirmation.

Jamie Mott is now listed as the rider for Quynh.

The scratching of Waiheke Rose may allow an emergency to gain a start. Final participation must be checked against the official race-day declarations.

Field and barrier information updated on 4 November 2026 using the latest available Just Horse Racing racecard. Further scratchings, rider changes and emergency promotions may occur before Thursday’s race.

Crown Oaks Day 2026 Full Race Schedule

The Victoria Racing Club has scheduled nine races at Flemington on Thursday, with the first starting at 1:00 pm and the last at 5:50 pm.

The Crown Oaks is Race 8, following the Crown Red Roses Stakes.

Race times and programme details are published by the Victoria Racing Club and may change if required on the day.

What Is the Crown Oaks?

The Crown Oaks, traditionally known as the VRC Oaks, is one of Australia’s established Group 1 races for three-year-old fillies.

Held at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Carnival, the race covers 2500 metres and is conducted under set-weight conditions.

It forms part of the spring programme for three-year-old fillies, following other major races held in Melbourne and interstate throughout September and October.

The race has a long history dating back to 1861, making it one of Australia’s oldest thoroughbred events.

Alongside its significance as a Group 1 race, the Oaks also carries importance for the Australian breeding industry. A Group 1 victory contributes to a filly’s racing record and may become relevant to her future value as a broodmare.

The result will add another name to the race’s history when the 2026 edition is completed on Thursday.

Where Does Crown Oaks Day Fit Into the Melbourne Cup Carnival?

The Melbourne Cup Carnival comprises four major race meetings held at Flemington.

The 2026 programme began with Victoria Derby Day on Saturday, 31 October, followed by Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday, 3 November.

Crown Oaks Day takes place two days after the Melbourne Cup and features the Carnival’s principal staying race for three-year-old fillies.

The final meeting, TAB Champions Stakes Day, is scheduled for Saturday, 7 November.

The four meetings bring together major Australian Group races across sprinting, middle-distance and staying events.

For the full Carnival programme and additional racing information, read Jig Racing’s Spring Racing Carnival 2026 guide.

What Time Does the Crown Oaks Start?

The 2026 Crown Oaks is scheduled to begin at 5:10 pm AEDT on Thursday, 5 November, as Race 8 at Flemington.

For interstate and international readers, the equivalent scheduled times are:

These times are based on the published Flemington programme.

How to Follow Crown Oaks Day 2026

The Victoria Racing Club provides the official race schedule, acceptances and event details through its Crown Oaks Day page.

The meeting is also covered through Australian racing broadcasters and racing information services, with official results available following each race.

Jig Racing follows Australian thoroughbred racing throughout the year, including the major Spring Carnival meetings.

Members can access selected race previews, form analysis and Blackbook features through Jig Racing’s subscription services.

Further information is available on the Jig Racing membership packages.

The Melbourne Cup Carnival concludes with Champions Stakes Day at Flemington on Saturday, 7 November 2026.

Publication check: The revised barriers and scratching agree with the updated Just Horse Racing field. The source still labels Quynh as an emergency in its original field table, so I have retained that status pending official confirmation.

Just Horse Racing

The article is updated and remains subject to a final race-day check for additional scratchings and emergency promotions.