This state war between the governing racing bodies just scorched up a bit more.
The Victorian folk, still smarting over NSW’s introduction of races like the $14 million The Everest and the $7.5 million Golden Eagle during ‘their’ carnival, have gone to the heart of matter by devising a plan they hope will be luring riders to Victoria via massive bonus monies.
On G1 Turnbull Stakes day for instance, which is 5 Oct, all jockeys riding at that meet will be in the running for a end-of-the-day $50,000 pot of gold. Called Star Of The Saddle, presumably the daily riding contest will be conducted a la the TAB’s Jockey Challenge with points earned from rides.
Over the Spring Carnival in Victoria, there will be a few of these Star Of The Saddle days available to the riders.
On 12 Oct this year, the G1 Caulfield Guineas day, another $50,000 pot will be available.
On 19 Oct this year, which is Caulfield Cup day, the pot is $100,000!
Similarly, the pot is $100,000 Cox Plate day, while the money give-away ends with jocks vying for Star Of The Saddle honours on 2 November, G1 Victoria Derby day. It’s another $100,000 bonus.
These Star Of The Saddle days in Victoria will compete with Gr 1 $1million Epsom day in Sydney on 5 Oct. There are 3 x Gr 1 races at Randwick that day worth the same.
On 12 Oct at Randwick, jocks going to Vic miss the Gr 1 Spring Champion Stakes worth $1 million as well as a host of stakes races and the new $500,000 Silver Eagle.
At Randwick on 19 Oct, the riders miss the $14m The Everest, along with the $1.2m The Kosciuszko and a further 3 x $500,000 races.
On 26 oct the Star Of The saddle will keep them from the new $1million Bondi Stakes at Randwick and finally on Derby Day in Victoria, the corresponding Rosehill race meeting presents the new $7.5m Golden Eagle, The new $1million Redzel Stakes and the $500,000 Rosehill Gold Cup.
Looks like battle lines have been drawn.
