Melbourne Racing Club executive chairman John Kanga has pointed to the club’s revamped spring carnival schedule as the latest example of the MRC innovation focus.
The new calendar will see the Thousand Guineas move back to its October date, albeit now on Caulfield Cup day, while the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes also goes back to where it was in September before changes spearheaded by the previous Racing Victoria management in 2023.
These changes were announced earlier this year along with the decision to relocate the CF Orr Stakes from February to November as the highlight of the MRC late spring schedule.
However, it was confirmed this week that there will be now two $1 million races on that day with the Thoroughbred Club Stakes, currently a Group 3 race for three-year-old fillies over 1200 metres, getting a prize money boost as the MRC targets its eventual progress to being a Group 1 race.
That race is designed to offer Australia’s best sprinting fillies a path onward from the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington.
The Group 2 Sandown Guineas has also been shifted to that raceday, while the MRC has launched a new $400,000, 2000m three-year-old race to be called the Melbourne Classic to be held two weeks later at Caulfield.
“The MRC continues to lead with innovation and investment. These changes reflect our ongoing commitment to attracting top-tier horses, delivering high-quality racing, and creating outstanding experiences for our members, owners, trainers, punters, and fans,” Kanga said.
