Racehorse TALK

Crown Oaks now of $1 million

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VRC

This year's Victorian Oaks will be Flemington's newest $1 million dollar race following a decision by the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) to allocate an additional $250,000 in prizemoney for the classic.

VRC chief executive Dale Monteith announced on Monday the Oaks increase as well as other prizemoney initiatives for the 2007 winter-spring period.

"As the flagship race on the third day of the 2007 Melbourne Cup carnival, the time-honoured Crown Oaks is most deserving of million dollar race status, and the VRC directors have agreed to allocate this sum to the event, within Club prizemoney budgets for the 2007-08 racing season," Monteith said.

"Some of the great fillies of the turf have won the Oaks over the years, and the attention of breeders, owners and trainers will be even more focused on this staying classic in the years ahead."

The Listed Aurie's Star Hcp (1200m) on August 11 is up $50,000 to $150,000; the Listed Sofitel Stakes (1400m) on September 8 is up $25,000 to $125,000; and the Group Three Open Hcp (1400m) on November 3 is up $50,000 to $250,000.

This sets the minimum value for races on Victoria Derby Day at $250,000.

David Courtney, chief executive of Crown Melbourne Limited also announced the company had extended it 15-year-sponsorship of the Oaks for another five years.

"The Melbourne Cup Carnival is a major drawcard for Crown's international and interstate visitors, and it is one of the major events on the Australian sporting calendar," he said.