A scheduling change will see this year’s Caulfield Cup run as the last race on the 10-event feature program.

The move has been made in an effort to increase interest and betting turnover. While the Melbourne Racing Club have been keen to run the day’s main event as the last for many years, contractual obligations with Channel 9 prevented them doing so.

But with Channel 7 now holding the rights to the major spring action, the $2.25 million staying race will now jump at 5:45pm.

MRC chairman Mike Symons described the move as a “huge positive” and said it is the most logical timing in order to make the most of one of the spring’s major highlights.

“It is something we have wanted to do for years, but Channel 9 were not prepared to have their coverage of racing going up to 6 o’clock,” Symons said.

“Why wouldn’t you have your best and deepest race as race 10?”

The strategic move will also be implemented on Caulfield Guineas day, with the $1 million three-year-old race also to be saved for last.

The Caulfield Cup Carnival opens on October 12 with Caulfield Guineas day and comes to a climax on Caulfield Cup day on October 19.