The saying goes, ‘You only win a maiden once, so make it worthwhile’, and now, with Racing NSW introducing ‘Super Maidens,’ owners and trainers will be rewarded with extra prizemoney.
Today, Racing NSW announced the introduction of these ‘Super Maidens’, which will run for additional prizemoney on midweek metropolitan, provincial and country TAB meetings from September 1, 2023.
The Super Maidens provide a further $6.5 million per annum in prizemoney to participants and are as follows:
• Metropolitan Super Maidens will be run weekly at midweek metropolitan programs for prizemoney of $100,000.
• Two Provincial Super Maidens will be run each week carrying prizemoney of $60,000.
• A Country Super Maiden will be run at one Country TAB meeting each week as well as at all 65 Showcase meetings for prizemoney of $50,000.
The NSW racing industry has long called for more reward for maiden victories.
NSW Trainer’s Association CEO, Mr Richard Callander, believes introducing Super Maidens is a good win for owners.
“Giving owners a good kick in winning a horse’s first race is good for everyone,” he said.
“It can be a long process and costly to get to the racing stage for some horses, and to know there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow on offer to win a maiden is a positive.”
The Super Maiden announcement comes on top of the already announced $27 million per annum of prizemoney increases in NSW commencing on August 1, 2023.
Mr Callander praised Racing NSW for rewarding all sections of the racing industry.
“Racing NSW has put millions of dollars into prizemoney in recent years, but today’s announcement really hits the spot across the board from country to provincial to the city,” he said.
“It shows NSW racing is continuing to grow, and there is no better place to race a horse.”
Racing NSW’s Chairman, Mr Russell Balding, shared Mr Callander’s sentiment, highlighting what is currently offered to NSW participants.
“Racing NSW already pays out $58 million in prizemoney for maiden races per annum, and now with Super Maidens, this will take it to $64.5 million per annum,” he said.
“The Super Maidens will enable owners to recoup a larger share of their outlay with their horse’s first race win.”
NSW Country and Picnic Racing have since confirmed that all three categories of Super Maidens will be open slather and will not fall under the current ‘Country Boosted’ scheme.
This means country trainers and owners can take advantage of Super Maidens on provincials and metropolitan programs. In contrast, city and provincial trainers and owners can enter Super Maidens on country programs.
“Across all sectors, these races are for all-comers, no restrictions,” Racing NSW’s General Manager – Industry & Analysis, Mr Scott Kennedy, confirmed.
“The existing Country Boosted mechanisms remain in place.”
According to the Racing NSW calendar, Moree will host the first country Super Maiden on Sunday, September 3.
