December 20, 2017

The Australian Turf Club has introduced an incentive for owners and trainers to enhance participation in the $2 million Schweppes Sydney Cup at Royal Randwick on Saturday 14 April, 2018.

Owners and trainers who prepare the winner or placegetters in several key staying races across Australia and New Zealand will be eligible for the Schweppes Sydney Cup Bonus.

Owners will receive a total $100,000 bonus and the trainer a total $50,000 bonus if their horse goes on to win or place in the 2018 Schweppes Sydney Cup after having won or placed in these designated staying races:

• The Metropolitan at Royal Randwick on Saturday 30 September, 2017;
• The Perth Cup at Ascot on 1 January, 2018;
• The Auckland Cup at Ellerslie in New Zealand on Saturday 10 March 2018;
• The Adelaide Cup at Morphettville on Monday 12 March, 2018.
• NE Manion Cup at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday 24 March 2018.

Australian Turf Club Chairman Laurie Macri said the initiative is part of the Club’s continued investment in staying races with an aim to attract high quality local and international stayers to the $2 million Schweppes Sydney Cup run over the famous two miles.

“The Schweppes Sydney Cup is recognised as a race that welcomes stayers from many pathways across the nation and the ATC is committed to continually raising its profile,’’ Mr Macri said.

“We want to promote this $2 million race as one which features a contest between in form horses from around Australia as well as internationally, and acts as the staying championship of the Sydney Autumn Carnival.”