Racing Victoria (RV) on Tuesday announced five new $1 million bonuses for its upcoming Spring Carnival.
The Cox Plate, Victoria Derby, Empire Rose Stakes, Champions Mile and Champions Sprint are the five races which will see the winner rewarded with an extra $1 million should they win any of the selected bonus events.
It has been a busy 2022 for RV, which announced a number of prizemoney increases for its spring features earlier in the year, as well as Monday’s adjustment to both the Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Series and The Valley Sprinters Cup Series.
READ: Racing Victoria announces new conditions for Country Series
“We’re excited to unveil $5 million in bonuses for the 2022 Victorian Spring Racing Carnival on top of the previously announced prizemoney increases to both country minimums and feature races across the state,” said Greg Carpenter, RV Executive General Manager – Racing.
“These bonuses further reward those owners and trainers who support the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival and in turn provide great enjoyment to fans and punters.
“We want to continue to compile the best fields possible for our racing showpiece and to deliver storylines throughout the carnival that excite and captivate.
“With five $1 million bonuses up for grabs, there is a great spread of opportunity for both emerging talent and established stars to create their own headlines this spring.”
The key lead-up races worth a $1 million bonus are as follows:
BONUS 1 – COX PLATE
- Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) – Moonee Valley, September 3
- Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) – Flemington, September 10
- Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) – Sandown, September 25
- Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) – Flemington, October 1
- Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (3YO 1600m) – Caulfield, October 8
- Group 1 Might And Power Stakes (2000m) – Caulfield, October 8
BONUS 2 – VICTORIA DERBY
- Group 3 Caulfield Classic (2000m) – Caulfield, October 15
- Listed Geelong Classic (2200m) – Geelong, October 19
- Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) – Moonee Valley, October 22
BONUS 3 – EMPIRE ROSE STAKES
- Group 1 Queen of the Turf (1600m) – Randwick, April 9 – won by Nimalee
- Group 1 NZ Breeders Stakes (1600m) – Te Rapa, April 16 – won by Imperatriz
- Group 1 Tatts Tiara (1400m) – Eagle Farm, June 25 – won by Startantes
- Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) – Flemington, September 10
- Group 2 Stocks Stakes (1600m) – Moonee Valley, September 23
- Group 2 Rose of Kingston Stakes (1400m) – Flemington, October 1
- Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (3YO 1600m) – Flemington, October 1
- Group 1 Thousand Guineas (3YO 1600m) – Caulfield, October 12
- Group 3 Ladies Day Vase (1600m) – Caulfield, October 12
- Group 2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m) – Caulfield, October 15
- Group 2 Fillies Classic (3YO 1600m) – Moonee Valley, October 22
- Group 3 Tesio Stakes (1600m) – Moonee Valley, October 22
BONUS 4 – VRC DARLEY CHAMPIONS SPRINT
Have won the $2 million Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m, WFA) at Moonee Valley on October 21, 2022;
OR
Competed in the Manikato Stakes after previously winning any of the following races in 2022:
- Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) – Moonee Valley, September 3
- Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) – Moonee Valley, September 23
- Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) – Flemington, October 1
- Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1000m) – Caulfield, October 8
BONUS 5 – VRC CHAMPIONS MILE
- Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) – Caulfield, September 17
- Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) – Caulfield, October 8
- Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m) – Moonee Valley, October 22
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