BENDIGO Greyhound Racing Association and industry participants are enjoying a win following the announcement of the return of several features to its racing calendar.
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Postponed at Easter due to the uncertainty around potential COVID-19 restrictions, the Gold Rush Maiden and Stayers Cup will return to the racing program in June.
In a further coup for the BGRA, the Group 2 Bendigo Cup Final in July will carry record prizemoney of $50,000.
BGRA chief executive Troy Harley said with greyhound racing in Victoria surging ahead, the association has rescheduled the $10,000 to the winner of the maiden series and $12,000 to the winner of the Stayers Cup.
"The BGRA prides itself on being an ideal starting point for young greyhounds and as the Gold Rush Maiden has been conducted for 15 years it would have been disappointing if there was a gap in the honour roll and the race not held in 2020," he said.
"It's fantastic to be able to conduct these two significant events on our racing calendar and is an opportunity to put some of the club's feature race stakes back on the table for participants to chase that looked like it was lost a few weeks ago.
"The club is appreciative of the support from Greyhound racing Victoria in allowing necessary calendar changes to see these races run".
The Gold Rush Maiden will be shortened to a two-week series on June 13 and 19 and the Stayers Cup will be run on June 19.
In a further boost to stakes injections, the BGRA is excited to be able to offer a club record $50,000 to the winner of the Bendigo Cup for 2020.
"The BGRA has been exploring the opportunity to get the Bendigo Cup to Group 1 level," Harley said.
"With a rich history and through hard work over many years growing the profile of the Bendigo Cup, we believe Group 1 status can be justified and would be ideal recognition for the region.
"There are several components to securing Group 1 status with one being the first prize money.
"There are many variables that need to come together over the next couple of years, however, the opportunity is there now to take a step forward in that process and we consider it the right move."
The club is planning extensive social media coverage of the 2020 Bendigo Cup series with more details to be announced in the coming weeks.
The winter feature events schedule for Bendigo now includes:
. * Gold Rush Maiden (425m) - heats June 13, final June 19 - 1st $10,000;
. * Bendigo Stayers Cup (SE 660m) - June 19 - 1st $12,000;
. * Vic Bred Maiden (425m) - heats June 26, final July 3 - 1st $7500;
. * Group 2 Bendigo Cup (SE 425m) - heats June 28, final July 3 - 1st $50,000;
. * Winter Cup (Mx 4/5 660m no city wins 601m) - heats June 26, final July 3 - 1st $10,000.
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