Racing Victoria (RV) has announced a number of enhancements to the upcoming Spring Racing Carnival, with total prizemoney for the 2021/22 edition to exceed AUD $110 million.
In June, RV added $16 million worth of prizemoney boosts, and today's announcement sees another $3 million in enhancements to Group 1 races, as well as a $1 million bonus for a feature race in October.
All Group 1 races in the 2021 Spring Racing Carnival will be run for a minimum of $1 million, and as a result, five races have been boosted from $750,000 to $1 million in prizemoney: Memsie Stakes, Makybe Diva Stakes, Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, Underwood Stakes and Turnbull Stakes.
On top of the prizemoney boost to these five races, a $1 million bonus will be paid to the winner of the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes should they also salute in any of the following 12 races that are exclusive to fillies and mares:
- Coolmore Classic (won by Krone)
- NZ Breeders Stakes (won by Avantage)
- Tatts Tiara (won by Tofane)
- Let's Elope Stakes (September 11)
- Stocks Stakes (September 24)
- Rose of Kingston Stakes (October 2)
- Edward Manifold Stakes (October 2)
- Thousand Guineas (October 13)
- Ladies Day Vase (October 13)
- Tristarc Stakes (October 16)
- Fillies Classic (October 23)
- Teslo Stakes (October 23)
“The Victorian Spring Racing Carnival is an iconic global event that has served to grow thoroughbred racing in Australia for the benefit of the sport nationally through a history of unparalleled attendances, wagering, international participation and media exposure,” RV Chairman Brian Kruger said.
“These enhancements unashamedly seek to ensure that the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival remains a destination event, one that continues to pit our very best equine athletes against one another for some of this nation's most coveted prizes. We are also strong believers in the importance of the Australian Racing Pattern to the long-term future of Australian racing and its many stakeholders.
“Our goal is to excite racing fans and punters by compiling the best fields possible and to reward those owners and trainers who support the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival and our iconic Group 1 races.
“From Moët & Chandon Memsie Stakes Day at Caulfield on 28 August through to Mackinnon Stakes Day at Flemington on 6 November, there are 21 Group 1 racesprogrammed in Victoria and all will offer at least $1 million in prizemoney. The stakes will be high and the race for the prize captivating for all.
“Not only does the Group 1 TAB Empire Rose offer the placegetters coveted black type for their future breeding careers, but it now also offers a winner's cheque of $1.6 million for any horse that has claimed one of 12 designated races on their way to Flemington.”
Stayers will also be beneficiaries of the prizemoney increases, with the Bart Cummings – which offers ballot exemption for the Melbourne Cup – increased from $500,000 to $750,000 and the Moonee Valley Gold Cup doubling its pool to $1 million.
“The elevation of the Moonee Valley Gold Cup to a $1 million race further cements its place as a must win contest en route to the Lexus Melbourne Cup, whilst delivering another headline event and million-dollar race to the Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day program – one of the most cherished racedays on the national sporting calendar,” Kruger said.
“A start in the Melbourne Cup remains the dream for owners across the globe and The Lexus Bart Cummings is one of just five races that guarantees that. Its increased prizemoney ensures those who choose the pursuit of its golden ticket over other races on the calendar are appropriately rewarded for their victory.”
The first Victorian Group 1 race of the 2021/22 season will be the Memsie Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield on August 28.