News

VOBIS Gold Carat unveiled

27th Jun 2012

Racing Victoria - Media Release - Wednesday, 27 June 2012

Rich Caulfield feature to kick start the 2013 VOBIS Gold premier race series

Racing Victoria (RV) has today unveiled the VOBIS Gold Carat, the fifth lucrative feature to be run during the inaugural VOBIS Gold premier race series.

To be held at Caulfield on Saturday, 5 January 2013, the $180,000 VOBIS Gold Carat will be run exclusively for VOBIS Gold nominated two-year-olds over 1000 metres.

It will be the first of five features in a lucrative series of juvenile races for which owners must nominate their eligible yearlings with RV by this Saturday, 30 June.

All Super VOBIS qualified yearlings (2010 foals) are eligible to be nominated to VOBIS Gold for a one-off payment of just $1100. This then qualifies them to enter the rich two and three-year-old premier race series, as well as compete for lucrative $20,000 bonuses right throughout their racing career, regardless of age.

The inaugural VOBIS Gold premier race series is;

· $180,000 VOBIS Gold Carat (1000m 2YO) – Caulfield, 5 January 2013

· $280,000 VOBIS Gold Rush (1000m 2YO) – Bendigo, 16 March 2013

· $210,000 VOBIS Gold Stakes (1200m 2YO) – Flemington, 13 April 2013

· $100,000 VOBIS Gold Strike (1000m 2YO Fillies) – Warrnambool, 30 April 2013

· $180,000 VOBIS Gold Elvstroem Classic (1300m 2YO) – Swan Hill, 7 June 2013

In addition to the feature races, a minimum of 50 VOBIS Gold bonus races will be on offer for the first crop of VOBIS Gold nominated horses during the 2012-13 season.

Each of these races will carry a $20,000 VOBIS Gold bonus on top of a Super VOBIS bonus, which ranges in value from $9,000 for country races to $30,000 for metropolitan races.

Once VOBIS Gold is fully operational, $18 million in VOBIS Gold and Super VOBIS bonuses will be on offer annually in Victoria on top of advertised prize money.

“The VOBIS Gold Carat will be the first of five VOBIS Gold only features to be held statewide for next season’s two-year-olds who are the first eligible crop for the state’s new racing and breeding incentive scheme,” RV General Manger - Racing, Greg Carpenter, said.

“The VOBIS Gold Carat not only affords a significant earning opportunity for nominated two-year-olds, it also serves as an important lead-up for Caulfield’s Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Series which commences with the Previews on Australia Day.

“Today’s announcement is an important reminder for owners and breeders that eligible yearlings must be nominated by this Saturday, 30 June to qualify for the VOBIS Gold features and bonus races throughout the duration of the horse’s career.”

Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) Chief Executive, Alasdair Robertson, said the Club was delighted to commence the VOBIS Gold premier race series in 2013.

“As the home of the Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Series, Caulfield has a wonderful affinity with feature two-year-old racing and thus we’re delighted to be hosting the first ever VOBIS Gold two-year-old premier race,” Robertson said.

“We look forward to working with Racing Victoria and the Coalition Government to ensure the VOBIS Gold Carat becomes a focal point of our early January meeting and develops a close association with the Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Series.”

Minister for Racing, Denis Napthine, said the VOBIS Gold premier race series for two-year-olds in 2012-13 is part an exciting joint initiative between the Baillieu Coalition Government and the racing industry.

“VOBIS Gold's objective, supported by $6.8 million from the Coalition Government, is to provide greater incentives to breed and race horses in Victoria, thus increasing the economic benefits and number of jobs within the state,” Dr Napthine said.

“It is fitting that Caulfield, the home of Victoria’s premier two-year-old race, the Blue Diamond Stakes, is named as the final location for the hosting of a VOBIS Gold premier race.

“The VOBIS Gold premier series will be restricted to VOBIS Gold eligible horses only, which further demonstrates why it is better to breed, buy and race horses right here in Victoria.”

Thanks to the Coalition Government’s support of VOBIS Gold, the cost to nominate a yearling to VOBIS Gold is only $1100 and ensures that the horse is eligible for feature races and bonuses throughout the duration of its career.

Nominations for the current yearling crop close this Saturday, 30 June and only Super VOBIS qualified yearlings may be nominated to VOBIS Gold.

For further information on VOBIS Gold and instructions on how to easily nominate visit www.vobisgold.com.au or phone RV on (03) 9258 4694.