The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) will introduce two new opportunities for young horses to race down the famous Flemington straight this spring.
Flemington will now host the first two-year-old race of the season on Spring Classics Preview Day held on Wednesday 25 September 2019. The new 900 metre sprint for two-year-olds will have the option to be divided into two divisions, potentially based on gender, if the number of acceptances allows.
This new race is intended to give the juveniles valuable raceday experience on Flemington's course proper on a relatively low-pressure day, with the aim that many of the entrants in this race will progress to take their place in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes on Turnbull Stakes Day and potentially either the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day or the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate on Kennedy Oaks Day.
The Club has also adjusted the distance of the Listed Poseidon Stakes on Turnbull Stakes Day, Saturday 5 October 2019, to 1100m. Previously held over 1400m, this adjustment will allow the Poseidon Stakes to serve as a valuable lead in race for the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes on AAMI Victoria Derby Day.
"Australia is recognised for the strength of its sprinters with many of the world's sprinting highlights taking place over the straight six course at Flemington, and we believe that these changes will help to provide a good grounding for the sprinting stars of the future," said VRC Executive General Manager Racing Leigh Jordon.
"The new two-year old race on Spring Classics Preview Day will offer an important opportunity for younger horses as part of their preparation for racing later in the spring," Mr Jordon said.
"This is an exciting opportunity for horses early in the season to showcase their Sires and their ability," said Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria Executive Officer, Charmein Bukovec.
"Racing Victoria and the Victoria Racing Club are supporting Victorian breeders by giving their horses an early opportunity to stamp their mark ahead of the season to come."
One of the distinguishing features of Flemington's famous racecourse, the straight six hosts Group 1 highlights including the VRC Sprint Classic, Black Caviar Lightning, and Seppelt Wines Newmarket Handicap.
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