3 minute read
Melbourne Racing Club is thrilled to partner with the Australian Turf Club for a slot in the $14 million TAB Everest.
The collaboration creates a prime opportunity to combine the fast-growing Everest with the long-standing tradition of the Stella Artois Caulfield Cup Carnival to make Caulfield Cup/Everest Race Day one of the premier events on the global racing calendar.
For the first time ever, MRC's new Everest slot will adopt a racing series concept culminating in the $400,000 Group 2 Schillaci Stakes winner on Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas Day receiving the MRC Everest slot.
The lead-up to the Schillaci Stakes will include three qualifying races, developing a strong racing and promotional campaign leading into the Stella Artois Caulfield Cup Carnival:
The qualifying races for the Schillaci Stakes will be the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (August 17); G3 The Heath (August 31); and Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (September 29).
"We believe that forging a partnership of this kind with the Australian Turf Club around the Everest and the Stella Artois Caulfield Cup Carnival will generate significant interest and value for Australian racing as a whole," Melbourne Racing Club, Chief Executive Officer Josh Blanksby said.
"From an MRC perspective, connecting the Schillaci to the Everest, will see an increased interest in racing on Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas Day – as well as the lead-up races preceding it.
"This concept breaks down barriers by fostering collaboration, embracing two great racing carnivals to benefit the entire industry, our members, participants, fans and punters.
"The MRC is and always has been a forward-thinking club that looks for ways to embrace the competition to the benefit of our members and the sport of horse racing generally," Melbourne Racing Club Chairman, Peter Le Grand said.
"The Stella Artois Caulfield Cup Carnival is one of the greatest carnivals in world racing and this new partnership gives a unique angle for 2019 which will make it the most exciting edition yet."