VRC Gets It Right. Oh Wait What’s This?

Charlie Johnston on Melb. Cup prizemoney boost

It’s rare that I (Lew Dub) say anything good about the Victorian Racing Club but a recent announcement had me chomping at the bit with euphoric rapture. They’ve decided to make the Geelong Cup and the Moonee Valley Gold Cup - Melbourne Cup Golden Ticket races. In recent years the VRC has made dubious decisions around Melbourne Cup Golden Ticket Races and the veterinary protocols imposed upon Melbourne Cup runners. However, here is a moment to rejoice in.

Don’t celebrate for too long though as reality quickly bit me on the backside. I’m sure you’ll feel the same displeasure as I when I tell you the VRC also announced on the same day, a boost to Melbourne Cup prizemoney and that the prizemoney increase would be disproportionately spent in a woke, everyone’s a winner manner. The bulk of the additional (almost) $2M prizemoney goes to runners from 13th to 24th - and yes, in true woke style everyone gets the same $100,000 sum. Finishing 13th gets you the same reward as finishing last. And yes, I know this is not new. The VRC already handed out $160,000 to all runners from 6th to 12th in previous years.

Somebody help me!

The move to reward every runner just for competing is obviously an attempt to lure the quality British and Irish thoroughbreds that have deserted the Cup in recent years. The announcement has already made news in GB with Racing TV’s Luck On Sunday program discussing the matter. The dollars don’t seem to have changed many minds though with two horse training guests on the show poo, pooing the idea. Charlie Johnston said, “The Melbourne Cup’s got bigger issues that will stop me sending horses out there . . . I’d be very hesitant to do it.” Meanwhile, Jamie Insole who is a co-trainer with Dr Richard Newland stated that, “If we had a horse good enough we’d love to (send a horse), but it seems like a right headache to send a horse over there at the moment.”

So as always, when it comes to the VRC you’re never going to have a big win. For now the Geelong Cup and Moonee Valley Gold Cup becoming Melbourne Cup Golden Ticket Races will be enough crumbs to keep the blind singing along to the VRC’s woke tune.