The Melbourne Racing Club has welcomed the announcement from Racing Victoria today of an incredible $4.5m boost in prize money for MRC races across the 21/22 racing season, with increases to minimums for non-metropolitan meetings at Mornington, all the way up to Group 1s.
In addition to the newly minted $750,000 Zipping Classic (2400m) announced last month, 58 of MRC’s 84 Black Type races across Caulfield, Mornington and Ladbrokes Park received an increase, including five Group 1s:
- the $1m Toorak Handicap (1600m), increased from $500,000 in 2020
- the $750,000 Neds Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m), increased from $500,000 in 2020
- the $750,000 Neds C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m), increased from $500,000 in 2020
- the $750,000 Futurity Stakes (1400m), increased from $500,000 in 2020
- the $750,000 Neds Oakleigh Plate (1100m), increased from $500,000 in 2020
Additionally, Caulfield will enjoy a significantly richer summer with a $1.67m boost to Caulfield’s key February features C.F. Orr Stakes Family Day, receiving an additional $770,000 in prize money across five races on the card and Neds Blue Diamond Stakes Day also enjoying $900,000 more for winners on the day.
“In light of the year that has been and the reduction to prize money that we saw last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is heartening to see this investment back into our races and race dates across the year,” says Melbourne Racing Club’s Chief Executive Officer Josh Blanksby.
“Our team has worked incredibly hard with Racing Victoria and all participants over the past 18 months to keep racing going under restrictions and addition safety requirements, so this boost is very much a recognition for that work and a welcome reward for the industry and owners.”
“Combined with alterations to our programming across spring, this announcement foreshadows a reinvigoration of our racing product after a difficult year and we look forward to attracting the very best racing talent to our race tracks.
“We are excited about the new season to come and in particular, putting on an unmissable show for our Members and racing fans.”
