The Group One Manikato Stakes will headline a new Friday night meeting at Moonee Valley on the eve of the Cox Plate, Racing Victoria (RV) has confirmed with the release of the 2012-13 season race dates.
The introduction of a two-day Cox Plate carnival at the Valley on Friday night, October 26, 2012 and Saturday afternoon, October 27, will be a highlight of the season.
The Manikato (1200m) moves from Friday night, September 28, and increases to $750,000 in prize money.
The Group Two Moir Stakes (1200m) moves from Cox Plate Day to headline the September 28 night meeting, while the Group Two Crystal Mile (1600m) moves from Cox Plate Day to the October 26 night meeting and changes to weight-for-age.
The Listed Crockett Stakes (1200m) moves from Saturday, August 25, 2012, to Cox Plate eve.
The 576 race meetings will be categorised as follows: 113 metropolitan, 429 country and 34 picnic, with the six new meetings scheduled on a Saturday in country Victoria.
The annual meeting total represents an increase of six on the current racing season and will be supported by a record $160 million prize money pool – an increase of 13 per cent on 2011-12.
RV general manager – racing, Greg Carpenter, said the 2012-13 racing calendar would further cement plans formulated in the industry’s Racing To 2020 strategic plan.
“The industry’s strategy has been to grow our night racing offering and this will take full effect in the 2012-13 season with Friday night racing programmed every week, excluding Easter, from September 28 to April 12,” Carpenter said.
“This has provided both host clubs, Moonee Valley and Cranbourne, with the opportunity to expand their premier meeting into two-day carnivals that provide a diverse offering for attendees and punters with day and night racing showcased.
“The Manikato Stakes will headline a new Friday night meeting at Moonee Valley on the eve of the Cox Plate, whilst a Friday night meeting at Cranbourne (on October 12) will be the entree to their traditional Sunday afternoon Cup meeting.”
“Another major highlight of next season’s race dates is the return of Flemington’s Turnbull Stakes to a Saturday timeslot after being forced to a Sunday in the past two years by the AFL grand final.
“We are also pleased to welcome Yarra Valley, an important and picturesque regional venue, back to the calendar after an extended absence with eight meetings programmed next season.”
