Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) today announced two of Victoria’s premier harness races, the 2020 Victoria Cup and 2021 Great Southern Star, will carry more prizemoney.
HRV General Manager of Racing Stephen Bell said the additional prizemoney for the races would be funded without change to HRV’s current stakemoney budget following New South Wales’ decision to postpone its Inter Dominion hosting until 2021.
Bell also announced Australia’s premier trotting event, the Great Southern Star, would revert to its original format of two heats into a final (all over 1720 metres) on the one night and would be hosted on an all-trotting Friday night card during the 2021 TAB Summer of Glory.
“We are pleased to announce prizemoney increases to two of our major events and for the Great Southern Star to be returning to its original exciting format,” Bell said.
“On the Great Southern Star changes, it is important we recognise that trotting is a huge part of HRV’s international strategy. In time, the hope is we will regularly secure international participation in the Great Southern Star as part of a series of Victorian trotting features during summer.
“The Victoria Cup is a prestigious Grand Circuit pacing event. Traditionally it has been seen as our Cox Plate. We’re pleased to be able to honour the event with prizemoney more befitting its status.”
It was announced last week that the Victoria Cup would remain in its October timeslot, Saturday night October 10, the night of the Caulfield Guineas meeting.
The Great Southern Star will be held on a new all-trotting card at Tabcorp Park Melton on the Friday night before the A.G. Hunter Cup during the 2021 TAB Summer of Glory.
The Victoria Cup will carry $300,000 worth of prizemoney, while the Great Southern Star will be made up of two $50,000 heats into a $300,000 final.
Picture: Tornado Valley with trainer Andy Gath and driver Kate Gath after winning the 2020 Great Southern Star. By Stuart McCormick.