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THIS year's Bendigo Cup has had a $50,000 bump in prizemoney to $400,000.
The boost to the Bendigo Cup is part of an additional $13 million in prizemoney announced by Racing Victoria and the state government for this year's Spring Carnival.
The Bendigo Cup growing from $350,000 to $400,000 is an increase of 14.2 per cent.
"It's a fantastic increase for the race," Bendigo Jockey Club chief executive officer Aaron Hearps said.
"It wasn't that long ago that we also had a $50,000 increase to take it from $300,000 to the $350,000 level.
"So to now have a Group Three $400,000 race six days out from the Melbourne Cup should be quite alluring.
"Hopefully, we can get a few more of not just the best horses in Australia, but internationals as well."
As well as the $50,000 Bendigo Cup increase, the Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Series that features a heat at Bendigo has also had a prizemoney boost.
The eight heats of the Country Series - that also feature Murtoa, Cranbourne, Hamilton, Horsham, Seymour, Geelong and Sale - have increased from $50,000 last year to $100,000 and the Flemington final on Oaks Day has been lifted from $200,000 to $500,000.
Meanwhile, there is a $200,000 bonus on offer if a horse completes the Bendigo Cup-Queen Elizabeth Stakes double later this year.
"Back in 2016 Francis of Assisi won the Cup here and then went on to win win the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Flemington," Hearps said.
"So if that was to happen again this year and you win a $400,000 race at Bendigo and the $300,000 Queen Elizabeth Stakes the following week you're getting up near a million dollars for winning the two races, which would certainly be very attractive for stayers both in Australia and internationally."
Other country cups that have had prizemoney increases include Ballarat ($350,000 to $500,000) and Cranbourne and Geelong, which have also both been bolstered from $350,000 to $400,000.
This year's Bendigo Cup will be held on Wednesday, October 30.
The BJC's next meeting will be held this Sunday in a transferred card from Ballarat.
The team of David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig have trained the most winners at Bendigo so far in 2019 with five.
Luke Currie has ridden the most winners with seven.
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