The increased stakes pot will be spread across the almost 2 100 races to be run in the Phumelela-administered racing regions next year. Last year, when a stakes increase was announced for the Highveld, the emphasis was placed on feature race stakes, and in particular on Grade 1 races.
At the time, the RA promised that the focus would be on minor races in 2009 – a promise that has been kept. Races for maidens and juveniles have been singled out for special attention. In addition to a 14% increase in stakes for these races, a number of them will carry an additional R20 000 bonus prize for owners who are members of the RA. A similar bonus of R15 000 will apply in the Eastern Cape, while in Northern Cape it will be R10 000.
This bonus payment is subject to certain conditions. One of these is that qualifying owners will have to have been RA members for at least three months. Also, if any members of an ownership syndicate or partnership are not RA members, the bonus will be halved. If none of the owners are RA members, no bonus will be paid.
More than 1 200 races will be programmed for the increased number of 140 race meetings scheduled for the Highveld. The following stakes will apply to minor races on the Highveld in 2009:
HANDICAPS
MR104 / FM100 – R110 000
MR96 / FM92 – R100 000
MR88 / FM84 – R89 000
MR80 / FM76 – R78 000
MR72 / FM68 – R64 000
Divided – R100 000
Divided – R77 000
PLATES
Pinnacle – R110 000
Advance – R100 000
Allowance – R94 000
Progress – R89 000
Graduation – R82 000
Novice – R 80 000
Maiden – R80 000
Juvenile – R85 000
Maiden Juvenile – R80 000
Three-year-olds are to be the main thrust of the feature race programme for 2009, as evidenced by the following:
TRIPLE CROWN
SA Classic – R2 million
SA Derby – R1.5 million
Gauteng Guineas – R1 million
(Outright bonus – R2 million; consolation bonus – R500 000)
TRIPLE TIARA
SA Fillies Classic – R1 million
SA Oaks – R750 000
Gauteng Fillies Guineas – R500 000
[Outright bonus – R1 million; consolation bonus – R250 000]
Apart from the introduction of three new feature races on the Vaal Sand Track in the February to May period, the feature race programme and the stakes of the other races remain much the same as they were in 2008. Nonetheless, the total feature race stakes on the Highveld are an impressive R29-million for the year.
About 550 races will be run at 68 race meetings in the Eastern Cape. There will be a 12% increment in minor race prize money and a 3% increase in feature race stakes – meaning the total stakes pot in the coastal region will grow by 10%.
With the accent also on maiden and juvenile races – enhanced by 16% increases and bonuses in some races if the winner is RA member-owned, the distribution of prize money will be:
HANDICAPS: MR104/FM100 – R80 000 (73% of Highveld stake); MR94/FM90 – R70 000 (70%); MR86/FM82 – R60 000 (67%); MR78/FM74 – R55 000 (71%); MR70/FM66 – R50 000 (78%); Divided – R71 000 (71%); Divided – R53 000 (69%). PLATES: Pinnacle – R80 000 (73%); Allowance – R65 000 (69%); Progress – R60 000 (67%); Graduation – R55 000 (67%); Novice – R52 000 (65%); Maiden – R50 000 (63%); Juvenile – R52 000 (61%); Maiden Juvenile – R50 000 (63%)
In the Northern Cape, Flamingo Park now offers eight feature races and 316 "bread and butter'' races – headed by the Racing Association Mile with an enhanced stake of R200 000 and the Racing Association Sprint of R135 000. Prize money will average 51% of an average Highveld minor race. Again, weighting of the increases will be towards maidens and juveniles.
Northern Cape stakes will be: Pinnacle Plate – R59 000 (54% of Highveld stake); MR92/FM88 – R54 000 (54%); MR84/FM80 – R49 000 (55%); MR78/FM74 – R43 000 (55%); MR72/FM68 – R39 000 (61%); MR66 / FM62 – R36 000; Maiden Plate – R40 000 (50%); Juvenile Plate – R43 000 (51%); Maiden Juvenile Plate – R40 000 (50%)