October
DecemberCup eats into features
I was disappointed to learn that the prizemoney for the Lightning Stakes and Australian Guineas has been reduced by $250,000 each.
These come on top of cuts to other feature races including the Makybe Diva Stakes.
It seems to me the Victoria Racing Club is struggling to maintain the $6 million purse for the Melbourne Cup and that some of its other features are suffering as a result.
I believe that NSW racing is about to announce increases in prizemoney which I think will further embarrass Victorian racing.
The base rate at present for metro Saturday racing is $80,000 for Victoria and $85,000 for NSW. Is Victorian racing going downhill? I fear it is.
I also wonder if there are too many highly paid people with fancy titles in the administration of Victorian racing. What do they all do? I think it’s time some of the dead wood was removed.
To change topics, I was also disappointed to read that Pierro will not be set forthe ATC Australian Derby.
I have no doubt that if trained for it and ridden quietly he would run 2400 metres.
It appears though that we are not about to find out.
Frankston South (Vic)