Owners will get the chance to share in a lucrative new $1 million series for maidens thanks to the introduction of the Emerging Stars.
The series of feature maiden races, to be conducted in the state’s west from October to December this year, serves to complement the Sportsbet Future Stars Series held in the state’s south-east in January to March 2025.
It will feature 10 maidens worth $75,000 each at Ballarat, Geelong and Warrnambool throughout spring, with the winners qualifying for the $250,000 The Emerging Star (1400m) on Ballarat Cup Day – Saturday, 7 December 2024.
The races will be open to three, four and five-year-old maiden gallopers and be conducted over 1200m to 1400m with the first two heats to be run at
Sportsbet-Ballarat on Thursday, 24 October 2024.
Following is the schedule of races for the inaugural 2024 Emerging Stars series:
Heat | Date | Venue | Race |
1 | Thursday 24 October | Ballarat | 1200m 3YO C&G |
2 | Thursday 24 October | Ballarat | 1200m 3YO Fillies |
3 | Thursday 31 October | Warrnambool | 1400m 3YO |
4 | Thursday 31 October | Warrnambool | 1200m 3,4&5YO |
5 | Monday 4 November | Ballarat | 1400m 3,4&5YO |
6 | Thursday 14 November | Ballarat | 1400m 3YO |
7 | Thursday 14 November | Ballarat | 1400m 4&5YO |
8 | Sunday 17 November | Geelong | 1200m 3YO C&G |
9 | Sunday 17 November | Geelong | 1200m 3YO Fillies |
10 | Wednesday 27 November | Geelong | 1300m 3,4&5YO |
Final | Saturday 7 December | Ballarat | Class 3 1400m 3,4&5YO |