Racing Victoria (RV), in conjunction with the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC), has today announced a swap of two feature MRC meetings in late September 2021.
The announcement comes following confirmation that the 2021 AFL Grand Final will be held in Perth and broadcast into Melbourne.
The changes, made in consultation with broadcasters and industry stakeholder representative groups, are as follows:
- The Group 1 Quayclean Underwood Stakes meeting at Ladbrokes Park (Sandown) moves 24 hours earlier to Saturday afternoon, 25 September; and
- The Listed Ansett Classic meeting at Mornington reverts 24 hours later to Sunday afternoon, 26 September.
In what shapes as a bumper 24 hours of Group 1 racing in Victoria, the Quayclean Underwood Stakes (1800m) will follow the opening of the night racing season at The Valley on Friday, 24 September where the Group 1 Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes (1000m) is the headline.
RV Executive General Manager – Racing, Greg Carpenter, said, “With the rescheduling of the AFL Grand Final, the swap of meetings ensures that a Group 1 raceday is now conducted in our premier weekend timeslot which is a positive.
“The Quayclean Underwood Stakes meeting is the first Group 1 meeting at Ladbrokes Park (Sandown) since 1996 and it will attract increased coverage and wagering in the Saturday afternoon timeslot.
“The switch also has the added benefit of providing an additional day between the Quayclean Underwood Stakes meeting and the Group 1 TAB Turnbull Stakes meeting at Flemington on Saturday, 2 October for any horses that are backing up between the two.”