Werribee Cup finds new timeslot
03 Aug 2012 | Racing Victoria Ltd Racing Victoria (RV) on Friday announced that the TAB Werribee Cup is returning to a pre-Christmas timeslot this racing season.
The Cup, which counts triple Melbourne Cup heroine Makybe Diva amongst its past winners, will now be run on Sunday, 16 December 2012.
It will be the second edition of the 2600-metre race this calendar year with the Cup last run on Sunday, 29 January.
The Listed feature was traditionally held prior to the Melbourne Cup before returning in a March timeslot in 2011 after the track's three-year hiatus.
The December Cup meeting will be the first held at the track following the departure of the international horses that will be quarantined and trained at Werribee throughout the Spring Racing Carnival.
As part of the move, prize money for the meeting has been increased from $295,500 to $320,000 with the main event carrying a purse of $120,000.
RV General Manager – Werribee, Ross Kendell, said he is looking forward to the local community embracing the return of the Cup meeting to a pre-Christmas timeslot.
“The Sunday, 16 December timeslot will provide a tremendous opportunity for local businesses, family and friends to hold pre-Christmas celebrations whilst enjoying an outstanding Cup meeting on the outskirts of Melbourne,” Kendell said.
“The meeting will have all the best elements of bygone Werribee Cup meetings, such as Fashions on the Field and a great racing program, all with a distinctively Christmas flavour.
“There's been tremendous interest in corporate marquees, mini marquees and dining packages since the recent release of the race dates for the 2012-13 season and we expect the interest to grow even further for the December Cup meeting.
“I'd encourage those interested in booking a Christmas function and hospitality for the December Cup meeting to make their arrangements now to ensure they secure their desired package.”