The Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC) has announced a $2.5 million prizemoney increase for the 2009-10 season to almost $21 million, and made some key changes to its racing program.The prizemoney boost represents a 12 per cent increase on last season and is up more than 33 per cent on 2006-07 with the MVRC committing $2.9 million of club-generated funds over and above the funding received from Racing Victoria towards prizemoney and trophies.The club has also guaranteed $100,000 to international r

The Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC) has announced a $2.5 million prizemoney increase for the 2009-10 season to almost $21 million, and made some key changes to its racing program.

The prizemoney boost represents a 12 per cent increase on last season and is up more than 33 per cent on 2006-07 with the MVRC committing $2.9 million of club-generated funds over and above the funding received from Racing Victoria towards prizemoney and trophies.

The club has also guaranteed $100,000 to international runners who compete in the $3 million Cox Plate and do not finish in the first eight, through the International Promotion Fund.

The MVRC has committed $625,000 of the additional $2.5 million towards black-type races.

The highlights of the prizemoney increases include the Dato Tan Chin Nam (Feehan) Stakes increased from $350,000 to $500,000, the Manikato Stakes increased from $350,000 to $500,000 and the William Reid Stakes increased by $100,000 to $500,000.

All Group Two races will carry minimum prizemoney of $200,000 - up $20,000 - and all Group Three races will be increased from $125,000 to $150,000.

The program changes start from this Saturday with a new $100,000 Open Sprint with set weights and penalties to replace the McEwen Stakes which has been transferred to the September 12 meeting to support the Group Two Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes.

The $500,000 Group One Manikato Stakes will highlight the 2009 Night Racing Season Launch meeting on AFL grand final eve.

The Group One William Reid Stakes - run as the Australia Stakes in recent years - will be run on February 13 while the Group Two Carlyon Stakes will now be known as the Australia Stakes and will be run on January 22.

The MVRC has worked closely with Racing Victoria Limited to further enhance the night racing model in 2009-10, with 10 premium Valley night meetings programmed this season.

At each of the premium Valley night meetings total prizemoney will be a minimum of $560,000, with two races to carry $100,000, two races to carry $80,000 and four races to carry $50,000.

Moonee Valley will stage 32 meetings in 2009-10, with 18 to be conducted at night.

Total night prizemoney on offer will be $8,870,000.

"The Premium Valley Nights strategy is expected to increase the quality of racing across the night racing season, increasing wagering turnover and attendances," MVRC chairman Bob Scarborough said.

The MVRC is set to announce a profit of more than $1.3 million for the 2008-09 financial year.