Bendigo has been granted a premier stand alone Saturday meeting for three years with the first to be held in March next year.
To be known as the Golden Mile raceday, the meeting will replace the Melbourne metropolitan fixture on that day.
It is set down for March 17 and headlined by the Golden Mile (1600m) which moves from its traditional spring home and rises to a minimum stake of $100,000.
“The introduction of a premier Saturday meeting in regional Victoria provides a unique point of difference within the racing calendar and the opportunity to build another showcase meeting for the industry,” Racing Victoria’s chief strategy officer Paul Bittar said.
Bendigo Jockey Club chairman Brendan Drechsler said the club was looking forward to the event and showcasing the area.
“There is a wide range of fantastic events and attractions in Bendigo in March that we believe will complement this historic raceday and will allow us to showcase the City of Greater Bendigo which continues to grow and prosper as a major regional centre,” Drechsler said.
Country Racing Victoria chief executive Scott Whiteman said his organisation was ecstatic with the decision which follows the recent announcement of increased metropolitan racing at Mornington next season.
The announcement comes after a successes of metropolitan Saturday fixtures in NSW at Hawkesbury and Scone.
“Racing at other country venues interstate, such as the stand alone feature Saturday at Scone last weekend, highlight the great opportunity the industry has before it to market and promote our exciting industry to a wider appeal, particularly in the country,” Whiteman said.
AAP TURF