Both the Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup and the Wallaceville Estate Wellington Cup have had a stake increase for the current season. The two 3200m races will each be worth $250,000.
This is a $25,000 lift for the New Zealand Cup, which will be run at Riccarton Park on November 12 and a $50,000 increase for the Wellington Cup, at Trentham on January 21.
The increases were confirmed today by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, in conjunction with the Canterbury Jockey Club and Wellington Racing Club.
The increases for the Riccarton Park and Trentham features follow concerns about the declining strength of staying races in Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
This was highlighted by the Asian Pattern Committee (APC) this month, following downgrades for the Wellington Cup, Adelaide Cup and Hobart Cup and concerns over the quality of the Auckland Cup. The APC voted to allow the Auckland Cup to retain Group I status this season, pending a review of staying races throughout the region.
NZTR is now working with the Auckland Racing Club on initiatives designed to improve the quality of the Auckland Cup and maintain its Group I status.
"NZTR is committed to maintaining and developing a programme of high quality staying races in New Zealand and we will continue to work with our clubs to deliver on that commitment," NZTR Chief Executive, Greg Purcell, said.
Wellington Racing Club President Wayne Guppy and Canterbury Jockey Club Chairman Jeff McCall welcomed the stakes increases for their signature races.
"We are pleased to be able to announce the increase with NZTR, especially given that we have put our great race back to 3200 metres," Guppy said. "This will assist us in rebuilding the race to the highest standard."
The Canterbury Jockey Club has also announced that the stake for the Gold Club Metropolitan Handicap (2500m), on the first day of the New Zealand Cup Meeting, has been lifted from $50,000 to $75,000.
"The club, together with NZTR, recognises the iconic nature of the staying race on the New Zealand racing scene and the massive interest they command amongst the racing and betting public," McCall said. "These stake increases look to cement that status and interest."
As a result of the new stake for the New Zealand Cup, the closing time for the first late nomination has been extended until Friday, 23 September, at 12 noon.
This is a $25,000 lift for the New Zealand Cup, which will be run at Riccarton Park on November 12 and a $50,000 increase for the Wellington Cup, at Trentham on January 21.
The increases were confirmed today by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, in conjunction with the Canterbury Jockey Club and Wellington Racing Club.
The increases for the Riccarton Park and Trentham features follow concerns about the declining strength of staying races in Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
This was highlighted by the Asian Pattern Committee (APC) this month, following downgrades for the Wellington Cup, Adelaide Cup and Hobart Cup and concerns over the quality of the Auckland Cup. The APC voted to allow the Auckland Cup to retain Group I status this season, pending a review of staying races throughout the region.
NZTR is now working with the Auckland Racing Club on initiatives designed to improve the quality of the Auckland Cup and maintain its Group I status.
"NZTR is committed to maintaining and developing a programme of high quality staying races in New Zealand and we will continue to work with our clubs to deliver on that commitment," NZTR Chief Executive, Greg Purcell, said.
Wellington Racing Club President Wayne Guppy and Canterbury Jockey Club Chairman Jeff McCall welcomed the stakes increases for their signature races.
"We are pleased to be able to announce the increase with NZTR, especially given that we have put our great race back to 3200 metres," Guppy said. "This will assist us in rebuilding the race to the highest standard."
The Canterbury Jockey Club has also announced that the stake for the Gold Club Metropolitan Handicap (2500m), on the first day of the New Zealand Cup Meeting, has been lifted from $50,000 to $75,000.
"The club, together with NZTR, recognises the iconic nature of the staying race on the New Zealand racing scene and the massive interest they command amongst the racing and betting public," McCall said. "These stake increases look to cement that status and interest."
As a result of the new stake for the New Zealand Cup, the closing time for the first late nomination has been extended until Friday, 23 September, at 12 noon.