The old course was renamed Victoria Park in 1897 in honour of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. An earlier grandstand with a substantial masonry base and side walls survived until at least the 1880s close this historical grandstand. About 1890 it was replaced by one situated further to the south, and by 1912 an additional grandstand had been built.
The present grandstand was erected in response to the rivalry that then existed between the “old course” and the racecourse at Morphettville. It also had to satisfy the agreement between the Adelaide Racing Club and the Adelaide City Council that the trustees of the club were bound to spend £2500 on the erection of a grandstand.
In April 1882, architects Bayer and Withall for the Adelaide Racing Club forwarded to the Adelaide City Council plans for a grandstand in excess of £3000 in value. When constructed, the council reported that the lessees were to be congratulated for providing such an ornament to the east Park Lands. The grandstand still retains its ornamental function dominated by extensive use of cast-iron, the delicacy and intricacy of which contrasts well with the massive bluestone base. The stand, originally symmetrical about the gabled main entrance over the present trainers' box, was enlarged some time after World War I, and these extensions were carried out in total sympathy with the original section, using ironwork of identical design by Forwood, Down and Company, and A.C. Harley.