Owners and participants will get the chance to share in a lucrative new $1 million series for maidens when the Emerging Stars kicks off in country Victoria this week.
The series further enhances the earning capacity for maiden gallopers in Victoria and is being funded with prizemoney re-directed from the All-Star Mile.
The Emerging Stars will be conducted exclusively in the state’s west over the next seven weeks and serves to complement the successful Sportsbet Future Stars maiden series held in the state’s south-east in January to March.
It will feature 10 maidens worth $75,000 each commencing with two 1200m three-year-old divisions this Thursday, 24 October at Sportsbet-Ballarat.
Nominations closed today with 25 horses in the colts and geldings’ division and 40 fillies in the other. Acceptances will be taken tomorrow (Tuesday, 22 October)
In a further boost for eligible owners, Thursday’s opening heats also carry a $20,000 VOBIS Gold bonus, $12,000 in VOBIS Silver bonuses and $30,000 in VOBIS Platinum vouchers for eligible horses.
Along with Ballarat, heats will also be held at Geelong and Warrnambool with the winners qualifying for the $250,000 The Emerging Star (1400m, Class 3) on Sportsbet Ballarat Cup Day – Saturday, 7 December.
The series is open to three, four and five-year-old maiden gallopers with heats conducted over 1200m to 1400m. Entry is open to all stables and owners.
Racing Victoria (RV) Head of Racing, Paul Bloodworth said: “We’re excited to launch the Emerging Stars which offers $1 million in prizemoney for maidens and will be a focal point of meetings in the state’s west over the next two months.
“As we’ve seen with the Sportsbet Future Stars in the east, these rich maiden series generate impressive talent, terrific stories, great form lines for punters and importantly valuable returns for owners.
“We’re particularly excited to see this series culminate on Sportsbet Ballarat Cup Day which will be a great buzz for the owners and another highlight on the day
“The Emerging Stars is another demonstration of our commitment to enhancing returns to the owners of maiden winners and follows this month’s launch of our $50,000 Premier Maidens each Sunday in country Victoria.”
The Ciaron Maher-trained Kings Valley yesterday became the third horse to win a Premier Maiden when successful at start eight at Horsham yesterday for a large group of owners.
He joins the Mike Moroney and Glen Thompson-trained Cavalry Man (Seymour, 13 October) and Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained filly Swifties (Bendigo, 6 October) as the inaugural winners of the $50,000 Premier Maidens.
Following is the schedule of races for the inaugural 2024 Emerging Stars: