Racing Victoria (RV), in conjunction with Country Racing Victoria (CRV), is pleased to announce the launch of the Country Mile Race Series – a new event exclusive to Victorian country trainers.
The Country Mile Race Series will be showcased throughout the 2021 Festival of Racing in February and March and collectively offer $625,000 in prizemoney.
The Country Mile Race Series will feature five heats of $75,000 at country Victorian tracks before culminating with a $250,000 final on The All-Star Mile Raceday at The Valley on Saturday, 13 March 2021.
The first three placegetters in each heat will automatically qualify for the final which will be conducted as Benchmark 80 race in what is an enhancement to The All-Star Mile support program.
To be eligible horses must be prepared by a licensed country Victorian trainer – being one that does not have a metropolitan stable at Flemington or Caulfield – and have been in their care since 1 January 2021 as per an official stable return.
The Country Mile Race Series builds upon the highly successful Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Race Series, held exclusively for country Victorian trainers during the Spring Racing Carnival and culminating in a final at Flemington on Oaks Day.
The 2021 Country Mile Race Series will feature the following races:
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Heat
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Date
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Venue
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Race
|
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Heat 1
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Sunday 14 February
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Colac (Cup Day)
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$75,000 BM64 1600m
|
|
Heat 2
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Tuesday 16 February
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Swan Hill
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$75,000 BM64 1600m
|
|
Heat 3
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Sunday 21 February
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Ballarat
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$75,000 BM78 1600m
|
|
Heat 4
|
Thursday 25 February
|
Pakenham
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$75,000 BM70 1400m
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|
Heat 5
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Saturday 27 February
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Wangaratta (Cup Day)
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$75,000 BM70 1590m
|
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Final
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Saturday 13 March
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The Valley
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$250,000 BM80 1600m
|
Quotes attributable to RV Executive General Manager – Racing, Greg Carpenter
“We’re excited to launch the 2021 Country Mile Race Series which will showcase great country racing talent and provide them with an opportunity to shine on The All-Star Mile Raceday at The Valley.
“We have seen the Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Race Series deliver some wonderful stories in its formative years with trainers like Alexander Rae and Julius Sandhu celebrating career highlights.
“We are keen to replicate that opportunity during the Festival of Racing in our peak summer-autumn racing period and the Country Mile Race Series provides an opportunity to do that and align the series with The All-Star Mile Raceday.
“With The All-Star Mile carrying a minimum handicap rating of 80 for older horses, the Country Mile final serves to complement that with a Benchmark 80 rating and will ensure a wider spread of connections can participate in the marquee raceday.”
Quotes attributable to CRV Chief Executive, Scott Whiteman
“Country Racing Victoria is delighted to welcome the Country Mile Race Series to our calendar in February and March and are pleased to have it culminating on such a significant raceday alongside The All-Star Mile at The Valley.
“We’ve got a great spread of country tracks across the state that will host the five heats of the Country Mile Race Series which are only going to enhance the appeal of these race meetings for owners, trainers and punters.”