Racing Victoria launches latest prize-money missile in fight for spring territory
The game of one-upmanship between the NSW and Victorian racing industries in the seemingly relentless fight for Australia’s best horses and jockeys added a new chapter yesterday when the southern adversary announced a string of large prize-money increases to feature races on the eve of the spring carnival.
Primarily in retaliation to Racing NSW’s introduction of The Invitation (1400m), a $2 million fillies and mares race to be run at Randwick on Cox Plate day and a week before Flemington’s Empire Rose Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m), Racing Victoria boosted the spring purse by $3 million.
A $1 million bonus will also be on offer if any fillies and mares can win one of 12 designated races and the Empire Rose on Victoria Derby Day.
Five Melbourne Group 1 races also had their prize-money levels increased from $750,000 to $1 million, namely the Memsie Stakes (1400m) on August 28, the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) on September 11, the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) on September 18, the Underwood Stakes (1800m) on September 26 and the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) on October 2.
The Bart Cummings (Gr 3, 2500m) on October 2 has been boosted from $500,000 to $750,000 while also offering a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) and the Moonee Valley Gold Cup (Gr 2, 2500m) on October 23 has had an increase to $1 million, up from $500,000.
RV chairman Brian Kruger made no secret of the fact the late amendment to key spring races was in a bid to combat the “pop-up” races in NSW, claiming Melbourne’s spring carnival remained a destination event.
“We are strong believers in the importance of the Australian Racing Pattern to the long-term future of Australian racing and its many stakeholders,” Kruger said.
“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.
“Not only does the Group 1 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.”
Designated races eligible for $1 million Empire Rose Stakes bonus
- Coolmore Classic (Gr 1, 1500m) – won by Krone
- NZ Breeders Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) – won by Avantage
- Tatts Tiara (Gr 1, 1400m) – won by Tofane
- Let’s Elope Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) – Flemington, 11 September
- Stocks Stakes (Gr 2, 1600m) – The Valley, 24 September
- Rose of Kingston Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) – Flemington, 2 October
- Edward Manifold Stakes (Gr 2, 1600m) – Flemington, 2 October
- Thousand Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) – Caulfield, 13 October
- Ladies Day Vase (Gr 3, 1600m) – Caulfield, 13 October
- Tristarc Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) – Caulfield, 16 October
- Moonee Valley Fillies Classic (Gr 2, 1600m) – The Valley, 23 October
- Tesio Stakes (Gr 3, 1600m) – The Valley – 23 October