Friday, 22 June 2012: Bendigo Jockey Club has announced a 25% increase in prizemoney for the 2012 Bendigo Cup to boost its value to $250,000.
 | Bendigo Cup winner Tanby
Photo by Racing and Sports | |
|
The Cup, to be run on October 31, was increased to 2400m 12 months ago to make it one of the final qualifying options for the Melbourne Cup, has been boosted to a record $250,000 stake.
With the $50,000 prizemoney injection, the Bendigo Cup will cement its place as a feature spring staying race with a strong connection to Melbourne's G1 features.
In making the announcement, BJC chief executive, Ian Hart, said the profile of the Bendigo Cup has continued to rise since the move to six days prior to the Melbourne Cup.
“This increase is in line with our overall vision to see the race become a Group 3 event and ultimately be recognised as one of the most important final lead-up events to the race that stops the nation,” Hart said.
The 2011 Bendigo Cup underlined the depth of the race with the winner Tanby progressing from a narrow second in the Geelong Cup to subsequent Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden.
Tanby's stablemate and Cup runner-up At First Sight is a former English Derby placegetter, whilst third placed Western Symbol won twice at Listed level during the Sydney autumn carnival.
Check out our
FREE Interactive Speed Maps for meetings in nine countries each and every day.
