It’s all systems go as the Alice Springs Turf Club prepares for its re-configured Cup Carnival starting on Sunday.
Bringing the Alice Springs Cup Carnival forward was finalised late last year, but re-scheduling the Red Centre’s showpiece event was first raised at the Thoroughbred Racing Northern Territory board meeting during the Darwin Cup Carnival last August.
In recent times, the ASTC Carnival started in April, culminating with Cup Day on the first Sunday in May; it took place on April 30 last year.
The new format ensures a longer break between the Alice Springs and Darwin Cup Carnivals.
After five meetings in as many weeks at Pioneer Park, Cup Carnival kicks off with the $35,000 St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m), with Cup Day scheduled for April 7.
On Tuesday, 87 nominations had been received for Sunday’s meeting, which is likely to accommodate eight races with $193,000 in stakes.
“I think most people have accepted the new format, so it’s time to get on with it,” ASTC general manager Tony McGovern said.
“If numbers for this week was the indicator as to whether or not trainers and owners are embracing changes to the Carnival, then you’d have to say yes.
“There was about 80 horses doing trackwork this morning, and I imagine that’s going to be the case over the next four weeks.
“The racing has been very good the last few weeks, and horse numbers have been great.”
A number of runners in the St Patrick’s Day Cup will back up in the Chief Ministers Cup (1600m) in a final hit-out before the Alice Springs Cup (2000m).
“There are a few Darwin horses and jockeys here now, and certainly numbers will improve over the next couple of weeks,” McGovern said.
“Kym Healy from South Australia has brought a nice team, while Neil Dyer has arrived with a team from Victoria.
“I know Michael Hickmott is going to bring some horses up from Murray Bridge for the Alice Springs Cup.
“We’re missing a few familiar faces, but it opens up the opportunity for local trainers to win some prizemoney.
“We’re lucky that Darwin jockeys Sonja Logan, Aaron Sweeney, Jade Hampson and Emma Lines have decided to move down here for the month.
“Trainers haven’t got any excuses as far as giving their horses work, as there are plenty of jockeys here.”
With the Darwin Cup Carnival starting in July, McGovern supports the extended interval between carnivals.
“It gives the three-year-olds, especially, the chance to take their shoes off and have a break before Darwin,” he said.
“In the past that never applied, I think it’s important that they have a bit more time off.”
The three-year-olds get the opportunity to pick up a $50,000 bonus if they win the Darwin Double – the $75,000 Darwin Guineas (1600m) and the $135,000 NT Derby (2050m).
There’s also the Triple Crown with a $100,000 bonus should a horse win the Alice Springs Cup before heading north and winning the $60,000 Chief Ministers Cup (1600m) and $200,000 Darwin Cup (2050m).
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