With advertised prizemoney of over $2million, Harness Racing Victoria’s (HRV) 2021 TAB Summer of Glory (SOG21) will again present a bonanza of riches for contestants.

Australasian harness racing’s premier summer carnival will be held across four stacked nights for the first time, with the addition of an all-trotting $526,000 Woodlands Great Southern Star program on Friday February 5.

The premier trotting meeting opens a huge weekend, with $900,000 in stakemoney offered on Del-Re National A.G. Hunter Cup night (Saturday February 6) before the Melbourne Australasian Premier Trotting and Australian Pacing Gold sales close out the TAB Summer of Glory Carnival on Sunday February 7.

Opening night is again the PETstock Ballarat Pacing Cup card on Saturday week, January 23, where $304,000 in stakemoney will be offered.

Night two will see a new three-year-old classic event featured, a $100,000 sprint over 1720m titled the VHRC Caduceus 3YO Classic.  All up, $320,000 in advertised stakemoney is available on the second night.

“To have a carnival with advertised stakemoney of over $2million is obviously sensational and it’s important to offer significant carrots to ensure the best of the best can be featured on our biggest nights,” HRV General Manager of Racing Stephen Bell said.

“The new VHRC Caduceus 3YO Classic on night two will provide a fresh highlight during the carnival and gives the three-year-olds a big carrot to chase, before they turn their attention to the Derby and Oaks on a new-look showcase Victoria Cup night later in the year.

“Another big headline this year is obviously the all-trotting card on Great Southern Star night and that race reverting to its original format. The Great Southern Star forms part of the inaugural Aurora Australis series of feature trotting races and is a pivotal component of our international strategy, which is something we’re very passionate about.”

Bell said the momentum in Victorian harness racing following a stellar end to 2020 would flow on to SOG21.

“The recent extremely successful Breeders Crown and Vicbred Super Series nights, which broke all prior wagering and engagement records for those events, show that Victoria is leading the way in promoting and presenting the most prestigious racing events in the country. We’re looking forward to SOG21 being the best yet," he said.

 

Advertised stakemoney for 2021 TAB Summer of Glory

PETstock Ballarat Cup Night: $304,000

VHRC Caduceus Classic Night: $320,000

Woodlands Great Southern Star Night: $526,000

Del-Re National A.G. Hunter Cup Night: $900,000

Total carnival advertised stakemoney: $2,050,000