Maorisfavouritesun from the David Aiken stable will line up in the Haras Des Trotteurs Jim Roberts Swan Hill Trotters Cup, the first of 25 races in the Victorian Square Trotters Association/Melton Saddlery Maori's Idol Trophy Series.
Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) today announced the 2017-18 Victorian Square Trotters Association/Melton Saddlery Maori’s Idol Trophy Series will carry a $10,000 bonus for winning trainer and connections ($5k to owner and $5k to trainer).
The VSTA/Melton Saddlery Maori’s Idol Trophy, named in honour of Australia’s most famous trotter of all, gets under way at Swan Hill on Saturday night with the running of the Swan Hill Trotters Cup.
Twenty-five races make up the VSTA/Melton Saddlery Maori’s Idol Trophy championship, drawing top-class trotters to all parts of regional Victoria.
Today’s announcement means trotting horses in Victoria are now competing for championship bonus prizemoney in addition to the pacers, who will compete for a $25,000 bonus as part of the Trots Country Cups Championship.
The Victorian pacing and trotting country cups circuit provides participants with the most lucrative regional feature race calendar in Australia.
Quotes attributable to Harness Racing Victoria General Manager Racing Glen Canty
“Victoria is a long-time proponent of the international gait and leads the way in providing opportunities for trotters. The new $10,000 bonus for the Maori’s Idol Trophy winner will provide further incentive for owners to race a trotter, in addition to the already lucrative prizemoney on offer.
“The bonuses attached to the trotting and pacing country cup championships will help draw top-quality horses to regional areas throughout Victoria, supporting clubs to put on a first-class race day or night and giving country trots fans the best opportunity to see star horses up close.”
Quote attributable to Victorian Square Trotters Association Secretary Ian White
“The Victorian Square Trotters Association is excited to welcome this announcement. We are thankful for the ongoing commitment from HRV to supporting all trotting participants in Victoria.”
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Media enquiries to:
Cody Winnell (HRV Media/Communications Manager)
t: 03 8378 0288 | e: cwinnell@hrv.org.au | tw: @codywinnell
