The Oakleigh Plate is a time-honoured Group 1 sprint race that has earned a distinguished place in the hearts of racing fans across Victoria and Australia. Held annually at Caulfield Racecourse over 1100m, the race is contested under open handicap conditions and features a prize pool of $750,000. Open to horses aged three years and older, the Oakleigh Plate attracts a competitive field, where runners carrying lower weights have historically performed best, with particular success seen by those under 55.5kg.

The Oakleigh Plate is the middle leg of Melbourne’s Group 1 sprinting events during the autumn carnival, positioned between the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) and the Newmarket Handicap (1200m). This strategic placement within the racing calendar makes it a critical event for sprinters looking to establish themselves over varying distances in high-profile competition.

Run on the same day as the prestigious Blue Diamond Stakes, the Oakleigh Plate is one of the main supporting acts, alongside the Group 1 Futurity Stakes, in what is a standout day of racing at Caulfield.