The second leg of the National Pony Racing Series is set down for Friday night, October 27, at The Valley, where some of Australia’s best junior riders will showcase their horse skills while being mentored by two legends of Australian racing.

Pony Racing returns to The Valley on Ladbrokes Cox Plate Eve

<div class="raw-html-embed">The second leg of the National Pony Racing Series is set down for Friday night, October 27, at The Valley, where some of Australia’s best junior riders will showcase their horse skills while being mentored by two legends of Australian racing
The first of the pony races will be run on Ladbrokes Cox Plate Eve between Races 1 and 2 at The Valley, before the second event over the slightly longer course of 650m will be held between Races 3 and 4.
Presentations will take place following Race 4. 
A selection day was held on Sunday to determine the make-up of the final fields. 
The junior riders will be in for a special treat, with Melbourne Cup history makers Glen Boss and Michelle Payne on hand to offer encouragement in their roles as ambassadors for the Victorian leg of the series. 
“The Valley is a pretty special place for our riders to compete,” Thoroughbred Industry Careers’ Lindy Maurice said. 
“This will be our third time with the pony races at The Valley after previous events at the 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes meetings in 2022 and 2023. 
“We love going to The Valley and the riders have so much fun under the lights. The fact we have Michelle and Glen there, plus our series ambassadors Lizzie Jelfs and Lisa Coffey, ensures it will be a memorable experience for each and every one of our riders.”
Pony exhibition races have proven popular on some of Australia’s biggest racetracks over the past few years and earlier this year a partnership was established to formalise the series. 
Thoroughbred Industry Careers, in conjunction with Pony Club Australia, launched the National Pony Racing series at Eagle Farm in August, with races run for two pony height divisions, with riders aged between nine and 15.
The Valley will be the second leg before the series moves to Western Australia in December on Gr 1 Northerly Stakes Day at Ascot, then the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions, Sydney on Australia Day and Adelaide on Adelaide Cup Day. 
Successful riders from the respective heats will then compete in The Finals at Randwick during the 2024 Sydney Autumn Carnival. 
The first two riders in each of the legs qualify for the final next year. 
Maurice said the series would not be possible without the support of so many generous sponsors, whose colours are represented in each of the races.
Spectators will be very familiar with most of the colours in action next Friday, being from some of Australia’s biggest stables, studs, and owners.&nbsp;</div>

The Moonee Valley Racecourse is going through a period of transformation to become a world-class, sustainable precinct that will see the legacy of this historic and much-loved precinct continue well into the future.To help us achieve this vision, a master plan was prepared to guide the redevelopment of the racing precinct. The master plan was developed in collaboration with a range of stakeholders and was approved by Moonee Valley City Council in October 2021.To date, the approved master plan has guided permit approvals for the realignment of the racetrack, construction of new racing infrastructure, infield car parking and ride share super stop, lighting, and a maintenance facility for the new racecourse. The Grandstand Precinct is the next phase to bring the approved master plan to life. A planning application has been lodged with Moonee Valley City Council.As the planning application is consistent with the approved master plan, and planning controls in place, the planning process does not require public notice and review. However, the MVRC understands the delivery of the new Grandstand Precinct is important to the community, so we are keen to share an update on how this exciting new precinct will come to life, and have provided some FAQs.<a href="https://www.thevalley.com.au/redevelopment/grandstand-faq">Click here to view FAQs</a>&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:990/450;" src="/dam/jcr:e235c783-4c9b-46af-b4c4-d408eb6b9abb/moonee-valley-racing-club---grandstand-render-3-990x450.jpg" width="990" height="450"></figure>

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Pony Racing returns to The Valley on Ladbrokes Cox Plate Eve | The Valley