Record Bendigo Cup prizemoney
21 Jun 2012 | Racing Victoria Ltd The Bendigo Jockey Club on Thursday announced a 25% increase in prizemoney for the 2012 Jayco Bendigo Cup to be run on Wednesday, 31 October.
The Cup, which was increased to 2400 metres 12 months ago to make it one of the final qualifying options for the Emirates Melbourne Cup, has been boosted to a record $250,000 stake.
With the $50,000 prizemoney injection, the BJC are looking to further cement the Cup’s position in Victoria’s famed Spring Racing Carnival as a feature staying race with a strong connection to Melbourne’s Group 1 features.
In making the announcement, BJC Chief Executive, Ian Hart, said the profile of the Jayco Bendigo Cup has continued to rise since the move to its current timeslot six days prior to the Melbourne Cup.
“This increase is in line with our overall vision to see the race become a Group 3 event and ultimately be recognised as one of the most important and final lead-up events to the race that stops the nation,” Hart said.
“We are extremely fortunate to have the continued support from one of the iconic Australian manufacturing brands in Jayco joining us on our quest.
“We see the regional cups of Geelong and Bendigo providing another unique point of difference to the spring racing program, expanding the appeal of racing across Victoria and increasing the potential for more visitors to the carnival for longer periods.”
The 2011 Jayco Bendigo Cup underlines the depth of the race with the winner Tanby progressing from a narrow second in the Geelong Cup to subsequent Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden.
In addition, Tanby’s stablemate and Cup runner-up At First Sight is a former English Derby placegetter, whilst third placed Western Symbol has since won twice at Listed level during the 2012 Sydney Autumn Carnival.