The Mornington Racing Club has increased the distance of its feature race, the Mornington Cup, to 2400 metres.By increasing the distance of the $200,000 feature by 400m, the winner will now pass the ballot clause for the Melbourne Cup which requires horses to win a Listed race of 2300m or further."The increase in distance will provide up-and-coming horses with the perfect avenue to qualify for the Melbourne Cup," Mornington Racing Club chairman Rod Fenwick said."The quality of our Cup fields has
The Mornington Racing Club has increased the distance of its feature race, the Mornington Cup, to 2400 metres.
By increasing the distance of the $200,000 feature by 400m, the winner will now pass the ballot clause for the Melbourne Cup which requires horses to win a Listed race of 2300m or further.
"The increase in distance will provide up-and-coming horses with the perfect avenue to qualify for the Melbourne Cup," Mornington Racing Club chairman Rod Fenwick said.
"The quality of our Cup fields has been exceptional in recent years and this creates another reason for trainers to target our feature race."
The Mornington Cup will kick-start the proposed summer staying series that will feature a minimum of three races of 2400m or more, each carrying prizemoney of $150,000 or more.
"We're looking at whether we join the Mornington Cup, (MVRC) Night Cup and (VRC) Roy Higgins Quality so at least a horse can come out of the autumn fully qualified and having enough weight to gain a run in the Melbourne Cup," Racing Victoria Limited general manager of racing operations Leigh Jordon said.
The 2009 Mornington Cup will be held on February 18.