Locally-bred stayers could soon find it easier to secure a spot in the Melbourne Cup with two new races planned which would see winners guarantee their spot in the $7.3m race.
According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, Racing Victoria are planning to run a 2800m race at Flemington in May with a $500,000 prize pool up for grabs.
Makybe Diva Stakes day in September could also stage a 2500m race with both races guaranteeing the winners a spot in the Melbourne Cup Field.
Racing Victoria hopes that the two new races would give more opportunities to locally-bred horses after years of internationals claiming the spoils of the Melbourne Cup.
No Australian-bred horse has managed to win the Melbourne Cup since the Mark Kavanagh-trained Shocking back in 2009.
Internationally-trained and bred gallopers will once again make up the majority of the Melbourne Cup 2018 field with the race set to take place on Tuesday, November 6th at Flemington.
Preview: Melbourne Cup 2018 International Horses
