Prizemoney boost for Melbourne Cup ; Stakes test next for Sensible Princess

Prizemoney boost for Melbourne Cup

The Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) has received a funding injection and will be run for a record A$8million on November 5 this year.

The total prizemoney, including trophies, for the Lexus Melbourne Cup will increase to $8 million, up from $7.3 million in 2018.

The winner of ‘the race that stops a nation’ will receive A$4.4 million plus A$250,000 in trophies, second place A$1.1 million and third place A$550,000.

Prizemoney will continue to be paid from 1st down to 12th. From sixth to twelfth place, each will now receive A$160,000, up from A$150,000.

“At A$8 million, the Lexus Melbourne Cup is the world’s richest handicap and the world’s richest staying race,” Victoria Racing Club Chairman Amanda Elliott said.

“It is the race every Australian owner, trainer and jockey wants to win, and internationally, has become one of the most sought after prizes in world racing.

“Connections cannot buy a place in the Lexus Melbourne Cup, it has to be earned. The results of the recently revamped Andrew Ramsden at Flemington highlights the sheer joy that comes with knowing your horse has secured a place in the Cup.”

The Melbourne Cup will be run at 5pm on Tuesday 5 November 2019.

Stakes test next for Sensible Princess

Group Two-winning mare Sensible Princess will contest the Listed The Ultimate Ford and Mazda Tauranga Classic (1400m) later this month after pleasing her connections with her first-up placing at Trentham last month.

The Fraser Auret-trained mare finished third behind Comeback and Art Deco over 1400m and he believes she will thrive in the wet track conditions over the winter months.

“She seems quite adept in those conditions,” he said. “I was absolutely thrilled with her run at Wellington and the way she pulled up as well.

“We are going to go directly into the Tauranga weight-for-age in two weeks with her. She’s a Group Two winner previously and I am really happy with where she is at.”