Breeding & Racing Magazine

Moonee Valley To Hold 2-Day Cox Plate Carnival

Moonee Valley Racing Club "will hold a 2-day Cox Plate carnival this year, introducing a Gr1 night meeting on Cox Plate eve" reported The Herald-Sun. The 8-race night meeting on October 26 will include the Gr1 Manikato Stakes, Gr2 Crystal Mile & Listed Crockett Stakes. With a "view to making the 1200m Manikato Stakes internationally appealing, prize-money will be lifted from $500,000 to a minimum of $750,000" & the club "is hoping to boost the purse to $1 million". Racing Victoria's board "has provided in-principle support & Moonee Valley awaits approval from the Asian Pattern Committee, as part of a recent agreement to notify any date or condition change of a Gr1 meeting". MVRC chairman Bob Scarborough said a back-to-back night-day Cox Plate carnival "would strengthen the domestic & international appeal of the Melbourne Spring Carnival, generate increased tourism & showcase night racing headlined by a Gr1 sprint". Scarborough added the move of the Manikato Stakes, coupled with the hike in prize-money, "would provide connections of sprinters with incentive to pursue the Manikato, given the $1 million Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) is at Flemington 15 days later". Included in the 2-day carnival plans, the MVRC will:

• provide $6,050,000 in prize-money, including a minimum of $100,000 for each of the 17 races;
• position the rail in the true position for the night meeting & out 3m for Cox Plate day;
• move the Moir Stakes from Cox Plate day to the season's night racing launch date on September 28;
• cap general admission for the night meeting at $20 & retain last year's $55 charge for Cox Plate day;
• pursue sprinters from Hong Kong, Singapore & Europe for the Manikato Stakes;
• incorporate the Manikato Stakes barrier draw with Tuesday's Cox Plate field selection & barrier draw breakfast;
• retain a 9-race Cox Plate program, starting at 1pm, Cox Plate at 5.35pm & last race at 6.20pm.