Happy connections of Eljaykay Phoenix after winning at Tabcorp Park Melton last year.
Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) has announced stakemoney for season 2015-16 will exceed $40 million for the first time.
HRV CEO John Anderson announced today stakemoney would climb $2 million from September 1 to in excess of $40 million, up from $38.3 million in season 2014-15.
“We are delighted to announce these important increases in stakemoney, which are aimed at benefiting all people racing horses throughout Victoria,” Mr Anderson said.
“We have listened to feedback from industry groups and are proud to be in a position to increase stakemoney by a further 5%, bringing the total increase to 20% over three years.
“Importantly the stakes increases are right across the board from graduation level racing and horses that finish sixth to last in the country up to the Group 1 Hunter Cup, which will be worth half-a-million dollars next year.
“These announcements will hopefully give our industry confidence to want to continue to race their horses in Victoria.
“Victoria is leading the way in maximising stake earning opportunities right across the classes.”
The stakemoney increases are as follows:
- Graduation races from $3000 to $3500 (42 meetings a year)
- Metropolitan front M1 and TM1 or better class events by $1000 a race
- Country fillies and mares races by $1000 a race (excluding Futurity races)
- Country penalty races at Tabcorp Park Melton metropolitan meetings by $1000 a race
- Payments for horses that finish sixth to last increase by $10.
- Listed metropolitan feature races from $25,000 to $30,000 (and become Group 3 events)
- Hunter Cup from $400,000 to $500,000
- 4YO & 5YO Championship from $50,000 to $75,000
- 4YO Bonanza from $30,000 to $100,000 (becomes Victoria’s first non-Futurity Group 1 for four-year-olds)
- Vicbred First Win bonus for 4YOs increases from $5000 to $7000 in line with 2YO and 3YO bonuses (estimated increase of $430,000)
- Country Pacing Cups prize money increases by $154,000
- Country Trotting Cups prize money increases by $57,000
- Maori Mile at Bendigo from $30,000 to $50,000 (becomes a Group 1)
Media enquiries:
CODY WINNELL
COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA MANAGER
HARNESS RACING VICTORIA
PO BOX 184, MOONEE PONDS, VIC 3039
400 EPSOM ROAD, FLEMINGTON, VIC 3031
t: 03 8378 0288 | f: 03 9214 0699 | e: cwinnell@hrv.org.au
www.hrv.org.au
