OUR CUP’S CASH BOOST

GEELONG Racing Club boss Daniel Salter has welcomed an increase in prizemoney for the Geelong Cup, but says its crucial there is also an increase for the day’s support races.

Racing Victoria yesterday announced the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m) would rise $50,000 to be worth $400,000, following the same trend as the Cranbourne and Bendigo cups.

Racing Victoria announced major prizemoney increases for Ballarat’s Cup Day, with all nine races worth a minimum of $125,000.

The Ballarat Cup, which has gone from 2200m to 2000m, has increased from $350,000 to $500,000, while the 2YO Clockwise Classic has gone from $200,000 to $250,000.

Salter said it was important Geelong built up the rest of its card, keeping it as one of the state’s leading country cup race days.

“It’s always good when our cup is worth more money, but we’ve got to get some more money for the rest of the card on the day,” he said.

Salter said the club would look at trying to build its programming into Flemington’s four-day spring carnival, allowing horses to use Geelong as a launching pad for the city riches.

The Geelong Cup is already one of the traditional lead-up races for the Melbourne Cup, but the club was keen to explore more opportunities with its programming.

“We just want to develop the race card. It hasn’t changed over the last few years,” Salter said.

“We want to make sure it benefits horses that are heading to Flemington. We are going through that process now.

“It may not happen this year, but certainly we want to put something together next year. Hopefully we can get some better races, some more prize money on the card and some better horses.”

The Geelong Classic, a lead up to the Victoria Derby, and a Listed race over 1200m for fillies and mares are Geelong Cup Day’s other showpiece events.

“Obviously the Cup is 10 days out which is perfect timing leading into the Melbourne Cup, we’ve had the Derby trial which has been successful, too,” Salter said.

“To get some other races that would be suitable for horses leading to Flemington would be the idea.” MEANWHILE, racing will return to Geelong today with an eight-race card to be run on a heavy track.

The first is set to jump at 1pm with the last set down for 4.30pm.