Racing Victoria lifts spring prizemoney in response to Sydney boost
Tofane is eligible for a bonus if she wins the Empire Rose
All Group 1 races during the upcoming Spring Carnival will carry a minimum of $1m in prizemoney while Racing Victoria has returned fire at Racing NSW's latest rich race The Invitation.
Racing Victoria announced the Group 1 prizemoney increases as part of its latest move in its spring cash war with its NSW counterpart.
“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,” RV chairman Brian Kroger said in a statement.
In July, Racing NSW announce The Invitation would be run for the first time at Randwick on October 23. The Invitation will offer $2m prizemoney to a field of 12 selected fillies and mares.
READ: Racing NSW announces new $2m race for fillies and mares
In response, RV has announced a $1 million bonus for any mare that wins one of 12 selected races as well as the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on October 30.
Winning the Empire Rose Stakes and claiming the new bonus would mean a $1.6m payday for eligible mares, outstripping the $1.2m winner’s cheque for The Invitation.
The Empire Rose Stakes also has the added incentive of Group 1 status. As a new race, The Invitation is some years from earning Group 1 status.
Krone, Avantage and Tofane are already eligible for the $1m bonus in the Empire Rose Stakes after winning qualifying races earlier in the year.
Upcoming qualifying races for the Empire Rose Stakes bonus include the Group 2 Stocks Stakes at The Valley, Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes at Flemington and the Group 1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.
RV’s move to a minimum of $1m prizemoney for spring Group 1 races means significant boosts for five races.
Prizemoney for the Memsie, Makybe Diva, Sir Rupert Clarke, Underwood and Turnbull Stakes will rise from $750,000 to the seven-figure amount.
The Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup will also become a million-dollar race.
The Cox Plate day feature will double in prizemoney to $1m while the Group 3 Bart Cummings at Flemington will offer $750,000 in stakes as well as a Melbourne Cup ballot exemption.
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