Sydney Cup bonus returns to attract more staying talent
LOCAL and international stayers will again have increased incentive to target the Group 1 Sydney Cup under Australian Turf Club bonus payments for Australia’s feature 3200m race in Autumn.
Owners and trainers of the winner, second and third placings in several key staying races across Australia and New Zealand will be eligible for a Sydney Cup Bonus at Royal Randwick on Saturday 13 April, 2019.
Owners receive a total $100,000 bonus and the trainer a total $50,000 bonus if their horse wins or places in the 2019 Schweppes Sydney Cup, after winning or placing in several designated staying races.
The qualifying races are:
The Metropolitan at Royal Randwick on Saturday 29 September, 2018;
The Perth Cup at Ascot on Saturday 5 January, 2019;
The Auckland Cup at Ellerslie in New Zealand on Saturday 9 March 2019;
The Adelaide Cup at Morphettville on Monday 11 March, 2019;
NE Manion Cup at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday 23 March 2019.
Australian Turf Club Chairman Matthew McGrath said the bonus system aimed to increase participation in staying events.
“In recent years we have significantly increased prizemoney for the Schweppes Sydney Cup and this bonus system is further recognition of our focus on providing more incentives for stayers and their connections,” Mr McGrath said.
“The Schweppes Sydney Cup has a great history and we want to continue to make it a race targeted by local and international stayers alike as a key part of the Sydney Autumn.
“In 2018 the incentive benefitted not only the Schweppes Sydney Cup by attracting the largest field in over 15 years, but it is also shared value to those race clubs that conduct important pathway races.”