THE Group Three Jayco Bendigo Cup’s status as one of the premier staying events of the spring racing carnival has been further enhanced by an increase in prize money.
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The 2015 Cup will carry prize money of $300,000 – a $50,000 increase on 2014.
The extra prize money will give Australian stayers and international raiders extra incentive to target the Bendigo Cup.
“The Bendigo Jockey Club has worked hard to come to this exciting point where the Jayco Bendigo Cup is positioned to be a legitimate option for horses aiming for the Emirates Melbourne Cup, now as a Group 3 race with the lure of a $300,000 purse,’’ BJC chief executive Jason Paech said.
“We sincerely thank Racing Victoria and Country Racing Victoria for working with us and investing in the proud history of our great race and we as a club look forward to hosting more high profile spring carnival stars and even international runners right here in Bendigo.”
The Bendigo Cup’s profile has exploded in the past decade.
In 2005 the race carried prize money of $147,000, was ran at the end of the spring carnival and attracted a moderate field.
The Bendigo Cup now carries double the prize money, is a qualifying event for the Melbourne Cup and attracts international interest.
“The committee of the Club set out in 2007 to firstly move the Bendigo Cup to the week prior to the Emirates Melbourne Cup, and in turn retain the classic 2400m distance, which is ideal for horses preparing for the big race,’’ BJC chairman Brendan Drechsler said.
“Since then, the race has gone from strength to strength and we now have a race that will attract the who’s who of racing to the wonderful city of Bendigo for all to see – it is something we can all be very proud of.”
Racing Victoria also announced on Monday that the Cranbourne and Ballarat cups will join Bendigo and Geelong in carrying $300,000 in prize money this year.
“The increased prize money further strengthens and reinforces Victoria’s position as the premier state for staying races,’’ Racing Victoria racing operations manager Paul Bloodworth said.
