The Sandown Greyhound Racing Club today announced that the 2012 Melbourne Cup will carry a record breaking $500,000 in prize money, including a first prize of $350,000.
Widely regarded as Australia’s most prestigious greyhound race, the 2012 Melbourne Cup will be the richest greyhound race ever run.
“The Melbourne Cup is our flagship event, and we are proud to elevate its prize money to a level never before seen in greyhound racing,” said SGRC Chairman Geoff Dawson.
“With over $1,000,000 in prize money on offer throughout the November Superdogs series, this year’s edition of the Melbourne Cup promises to be the most keenly ever contested.”
In addition to a record prize money increase to its premier event, the Club will elevate all five of its Group 1 events to a minimum of $100,000 to the winner, with heats worth at least $7000 to the winner. Five Listed events have been added to the calendar, giving the club 16 black type races through the year.
The club will also run 12 Grade 5 finals worth $12,000 to the winner.
“Sandown Park has long been Australia’s leading greyhound facility, and we delighted to offer such an exciting feature event calendar that caters for such a wide range of greyhounds,” said SGRC CEO Greg Miller.
“The Club’s ability to offer such amazing prize money for its feature races is testament to the hard work not only of those at Sandown, Greyhound Racing Victoria and the Victorian State Government, which has been a great supporter of greyhound racing, but to the owners, trainers and punters that continue to support the club and industry.”
The Melbourne Cup announcement is possible thanks to additional $450,000 from GRV, and comes as part of GRV’s recent decision to increase prize money by 20 per cent from $30 million to $36 million for 2012/13.
The 2012 Melbourne Cup final will be run on Thursday 22 November.
2011/12
2012/13
Race
1st prize
Total prize
1st prize
Total prize
Melbourne Cup (515m)
$200,000 $290,000 $350,000 $500,000
Sandown Cup (715m)
$100,000
$145,000
$125,000
$177,500
Sapphire Crown (515m)
$75,000
$105,000
$100,000
$145,000
Harrison-Dawson (515m)
$75,000
$105,000
$100,000
$145,000
Bold Trease (715m)
$75,000
$105,000
$100,000
$145,000
Laurels (515m)
$50,000
$72,500
$50,000
$72,500
Shoot Out (515m)
$40,000
$40,000
$50,000
$50,000
Launching Pad (515m)
$25,000
$36,000
$40,000
$58,000
McKenna Memorial (595m)
$40,000
$58,000
$40,000
$58,000
Sir John Dillon (595m)
$25,000
$36,000
$25,000
$36,000
Cup Night Sprint (515m)
$10,000
$14,500
$15,000
$21,750
Cup Night Stayers (715m)
$10,000
$14,500
$15,000
$21,750
Maidment (595m)
$10,000
$14,500
$15,000
$21,750
Lizrene (715m)
$10,000
$14,500
$15,000
$21,750
Bert Bryant (595m)
$10,000
$14,500
$15,000
$21,750
Bill Collins (515m)
$10,000
$14,500
$15,000
$21,750
* Melbourne Cup heats worth $10,000 to the winner
* All Group 1 heats worth a minimum $7000 to the winner
* Grade 5 Finals worth $12,000 to the winner
* Sir John Dillon to become a Best 8 over 595m on Shootout night
* Harrison-Dawson to be elevated to Group 1 status
* Launching Pad to be elevated to Group 2 status
* Cup Night Sprint, Cup Night Stayers, Bill Collins Memorial, Bert Bryant Memorial, Maidment
Memorial and Lizrene to become Listed events
* Minimum first place prize money of $5000 for every race on Sandown’s main weekly meeting
* $500 GOBIS Bonus on every Thursday night race at Sandown
* $10,000 GOBIS Bonus to any GOBIS qualified greyhound that wins a Group race at Sandown Park
