This spring will see speedsters flock to Scone Race Club for the inaugural Vinery Stud Country Cup Sprint Series.
Commencing in September and running through to November, Scone Race Club will host a three-race cup series, with an extra $3,000 on offer to both trainers and owners.
There will be a $3,000 bonus for the trainer with the most points at the end of the series and a $3,000 bonus for connections with the horse earning the most points.
The series ties in nicely with The Kosciuszko, with the $2 million Country Only race to be contested at Royal Randwick on October 14.
With Kosciuszko slot holders to be announced on September 8, Scone Race Club Events Manager, Bronte Judd, explained that the first heat on September 5 will be one of the last chances trainers and owners get to showcase their sprinters to the betting public.
“The club wanted to design a series that trainers can target with extra prize-money incentives and high-quality racing,” Judd said,
“The first race will be a showcase for the horse to show their credentials just before the Kosciuszko slots are won and selected.”
With Country Cups most often over 1400m or further, sprinters can often miss out, which is why the Scone Race Club will take advantage of their famous 1100m start.
“The club has one of the best 1100m starts in Australia, so we wanted to make the most of that,” Judd said.
“It is also a little different, and there could be a greater number of horses that would be suited by this distance.”
As always, these ideas can only come to fruition with sponsorship, and Judd thanked Vinery for their ongoing support.
“Vinery has been a great long-time supporter of the club, and they jumped at the idea of representing some of the local communities,” Judd said.
Scone trainer Cameron Crockett, who always has a good sprinter in his stable, believes the series could be a good incentive for those trainers with Open Handicap galloper.
“Let’s be fair; there’s not enough of those Open Handicap races at the best of times,” Crockett said.
“I think that bonus is pretty good, and it’s a great reward for being an Open Handicap horse.
“Plus, any incentive to keep those genuine open-grade country horses in work is a good thing.”
Country Cup Sprint Series Race dates
Tuesday 5th September – Vinery Stud Gundy Cup Open Handicap, 1100m
Friday 27th October – Vinery Stud Moobi Cup Benchmark 74 Handicap, 1100m
Monday 13th November – Vinery Stud Middle Brook Cup Open Handicap, 1100m.
Points system
The following point accumulation system will be in place across the series, with the winner announced on Monday, 13th November 2023.
1st= 14 points, 2nd= 13, 3rd= 12, 4th=11, 5th=10, 6th=9, 7th=8. 8th=7, 9th= 6, 10th=5, 11th=4, 12th=3, 13th=2, 14th=1.
To find out more or to get involved, click here.
