Ballarat Programming Changes
Racing Victoria (RV) and the Ballarat Turf Club (BTC) have today announced the following programming changes at Sportsbet-Ballarat for the 2021-22 racing season:
Magic Millions 2YO Classic
Following a request from Magic Millions after consultation it conducted with trainers and industry stakeholders, the Magic Millions 2YO Classic on Ballarat Cup Day will revert from a clockwise race to an anti-clockwise race, being the traditional Victorian way of going.
The race will remain over 1000m and retain its $250,000 prizemoney pool and qualification status for January’s Magic Millions Classic on the Gold Coast. As a result of the change in direction, the field limit increases from 11 to 16 starters and horses are no longer required to trial on the track to qualify for the race.
The 2021 Magic Millions 2YO Classic will feature on Saturday, 20 November alongside the $150,000 Magic Millions 3&4YO Classic (1100m) – the conditions of which remain unchanged – and the $500,000 Sportsbet Ballarat Cup (2000m).
The Hotham
The Hotham (1200m $75,000 reverse ballot maiden) will be discontinued and not be programmed at Sportsbet-Ballarat in October.
Gold Nugget
Prizemoney for the annual Gold Nugget (1600m Handicap) has been doubled from $50,000 last year to $100,000 this year. The feature race headlines the Sportsbet-Ballarat meeting on Sunday, 19 September 2021.
BTC Chief Executive, Belinda Glass, said: “While The Hotham and the Clockwise Classic provided some novelty to our racing program, we understand the desire for change and are supportive of that in the knowledge that our racing program has been strengthened in other areas.
“The increased prizemoney for the Gold Nugget will boost the field for this annual feature event which holds a prime timeslot in early spring.
“The change to the Magic Millions 2YO Classic on Sportsbet Ballarat Cup Day will see more horses get the opportunity to compete for a slice of the $250,000 prize pool with a significant increase in the field size.
“BTC are very grateful to the ongoing support from our major partners in Sportsbet and Magic Millions and we look forward to some exciting racing at Ballarat over the coming months headlined by the Grand National Steeplechase meeting on Sunday, 26 August and Sportsbet Ballarat Cup Day on Saturday, 20 November.”
Barry Bowditch, Magic Millions Managing Director, said: “Magic Millions gratefully acknowledges the support of the Ballarat Turf Club and Racing Victoria in running the 2YO Classic in the clockwise direction since 2012.
“Following consultation, we feel it’s time for the race to move to the traditional Victorian way of going to be of benefit to more participants, for the race’s overall quality and the simpler qualification.
“Magic Millions is excited to continue our commitment to Victorian racing and our partnership with the BTC.”