Racing Victoria (RV) has today announced a series of enhancements to the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival ensuring that it remains the destination for Australasia’s best horses and a spring focal point for racing fans.
The enhancements build upon $16 million in prizemoney increases announced in June for the 2021-22 Victorian racing season which were spread from once-a-year picnic and non-TAB races through to feature races during the Spring Racing Carnival and included a boost in minimum prizemoney for all Group and Listed races.
The enhancements announced today are as follows:
- All Group 1 races during the 2021 Spring Racing Carnival will be conducted for a minimum of $1 million in prizemoney. As a result, prizemoney has been increased from $750,000 to $1 million for the following five races:
o Moët & Chandon Memsie Stakes (1400m WFA) – Caulfield, 28 August
o PFD Food Services Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m WFA) – Flemington, 11 September
o Neds Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m HCP) – Caulfield, 18 September
o Underwood Stakes (1800m WFA) – Ladbrokes Park, 26 September
o TAB Turnbull Stakes (2000m WFA) – Flemington, 2 October
- A $1 million bonus will be paid to the winner of the $1 million Group 1 TAB Empire Rose Stakes (1600m WFA Fillies & Mares) at Flemington on 30 October if they have won one of the following races for fillies and mares in 2021:
o Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) – won by Krone
o Group 1 NZ Breeders Stakes (1600m) – won by Avantage
o Group 1 Tatts Tiara (1400m) – won by Tofane
o Group 2 Furphy Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) – Flemington, 11 September
o Group 2 Stocks Stakes (1600m) – The Valley, 24 September
o Group 2 Rose of Kingston Stakes (1400m) – Flemington, 2 October
o Group 2 TAB Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) – Flemington, 2 October
o Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) – Caulfield, 13 October
o Group 3 Ladies Day Vase (1600m) – Caulfield, 13 October
o Group 2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m) – Caulfield, 16 October
o Group 2 3 Point Motors Fillies Classic (1600m) – The Valley, 23 October
o Group 3 Tesio Stakes (1600m) – The Valley – 23 October
- Prizemoney has been increased for the following two feature staying races on the pathway to the 2021 Lexus Melbourne Cup:
o The Lexus Bart Cummings (2500m, Flemington, 2 October) – up from $500,000 to $750,000 plus a Melbourne Cup ballot exemption
o Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m, The Valley, 23 October) – up from $500,000 to $1 million
The enhancements collectively total $3 million and will see total prizemoney and bonuses on offer for the 2021 Victorian Spring Racing Carnival pass $110 million.
The Victorian Spring Racing Carnival commences with the $1 million Moët & Chandon Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday, 28 August and continues through to the final weekend in November with the revamped Zipping Classic meeting at Caulfield on Saturday, 27 November and the coveted Jericho Cup at Warrnambool on Sunday, 28 November.
Quotes attributable to RV Chairman, Brian Kruger
“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.
“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 races programmed 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.
“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.
“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.”