Racehorse TALK

Moonee Valley Racing Club

The MVRC announced on Tuesday a guaranteed payment of $100,000 to international runners for its signature race the Group 1 Tatts Cox Plate WFA (2040m).

The prizemoney for the 2009 Tatts Cox Plate will be retained at $3M, with runners placed down to 8th to receive a minimum of $100,000.

The MVRC had developed an “International Promotion Fund’ within its marketing budget that will be allocated to attracting quality international runners to compete against Australasia’s leading Weight-For-Age gallopers over 2040 metres.

International runners will be eligible to receive a $100,000 payment if they do not finish in the first 8 placings in the $3M Group 1 2009 Tatts Cox Plate on 24th October.

MVRC Chairman Bob Scarborough believes that this bonus will allow the Tatts Cox Plate to compete for the truly international horses that race at the great carnivals around the world.

“With the Tatts Cox Plate positioned around the same time as the Breeders Cup meeting in America, the Club believes that the guarantee of $100,000 will greatly assist us in attracting some of the best middle distance gallopers in the world to compete at Moonee Valley.

“Other jurisdictions around the world offer financial inducements, incentives, and assistance to racehorse owners that can off-set the expenses incurred in transporting horses to participate in these international races. For Moonee Valley to attract these star gallopers, we believe that the International Promotion Fund will be a great initiative to grow the international audience for the Tatts Cox Plate. “

The only condition that will be placed on the ‘International Promotion Fund’ will be that international horses will need to be trained by international trainers with training bases outside of Australia. The MVRC Committee retains the right to decide upon the final field of the Tatts Cox Plate.

Prizemoney breakdown for the Cox Plate
1st $1.8M
2nd $440,000
3rd $220,000
4th $140,000
5th $110,000
6th $100,000
7th $100,000
8th $100,000
9th to last - International horses guaranteed $100,000

All horses competing in the Tatts Cox Plate will need to pay nomination and acceptance fees.

To further bolster the Tatts Cox Plate program, two other races have received additional prizemoney;

The Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes prizemoney has increased from $125,000 to $150,000 and the Group 3 Tesio Stakes has also increased from $125,000 to $150,000.

The 2009 Tatts Cox Plate meeting will be a 9 race program with the first race scheduled for 12.05pm, the last race scheduled for 5.20pm, with the Tatts Cox Plate to be scheduled at 4.40pm.