What’s on in April
at Morphettville
We head out of Mad March across the State and into AMAZING April where Australia’s best jockeys and trainers will converge on Morphettville for the 2024 Sportsbet Adelaide Racing Carnival. Here’s a snapshot of what’s on across the month!
After the recent announcement of the Group 1 prizemoney boost between Sportsbet, Racing SA and the SAJC for the next 7-years, we look to a bumper month of racing.
Across April, we will see 15 black type races, including:
- 6 x Listed
- 5 x Group 3s
- 2 x Group 2s
- 2 x Group 1s
The highlight of the months racing is the two Group 1 races which will each be worth $1 million in prizemoney.
South Australia will be the focus with the AFL’s Gather Round (April 4 – 7) returning for another year, and Morphettville will be offering free general admission to those showing a valid 2024 Gather Round ticket at the gate. With a nine-race card, including the Listed Dequetteville Stakes and Kelly Sports on-site to provide kids activities across the day, you will be kicking your own goals!
It’s a big day of racing on Saturday April 13 with the Group 3 Auraria Stakes for the 3-year-old fillies and Group 3 weight for age, Redelva Stakes.
With the changes to scheduling from Racing SA the April 13 race day becomes the unofficial prelude to the Sportsbet Adelaide Racing Carnival at Morphettville. As a lead in race to the first Group 1s of the Carnival, it is likely that a number of Australia’s best trainers will use this as a final preparation for some of their stable’s chances.
This was evident during the 2023 carnival with the Ciaron Maher-trained filly, Affaire A Suivre winning the Port Adelaide Guineas before going on to take out the Group 1 Australasian Oaks two-weeks later.
April 27 hosts a Group 1 double-header on the first Saturday as we see the new $1million races kick off with the Australasian Oaks for 3-year-old fillies (2000m) and the Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) for fillies and mares.
Saturday, May 4 sees the stayers take centre stage for the SA Derby (2500m). Morphettville will be playing to the traditional Derby Day fashions, and this will see monochrome take over the precinct for the day.
The Carnival will conclude on Saturday, May 11 with South Australia’s sprinting crown jewel, Goodwood (1200m).
There are plenty more announcements to come, so keep an eye on the Morphettville social channels for further information.