News Article
Eyes Of The World On Victoria
09 December 2008
Viva La Fever is one of the leading contenders for this weekend's Grand Prix, which will be bet on in Europe
The sixth annual SEW-Eurodrive Victoria Cup Carnival will have the eyes of the world focused on it when the two-meeting showpiece commences this Saturday night at Moonee Valley.
The headline act on opening night, the SEW-Eurodrive Australian Trotting Grand Prix, will be the first Australian harness, thoroughbred or greyhound race wagered on in mainland Europe.
Under a deal struck between Sky Channel, Tabcorp and French pari-mutuel operator PMU, the Grand Prix will be broadcast live into and wagered on in France, Monaco and Switzerland.
“This is a landmark achievement for the sport and one that will showcase our elite horses, drivers and trainers to the world,” Harness Racing Victoria Chairman, Neil Busse, said when officially launching the event at the annual carnival golf day at Sanctuary Lakes today.
“Trotting is held in very high regard in France and throughout Europe so it is particularly pleasing for the Australian Trotting Grand Prix to generate the interest that it has.
“The Trotting Grand Prix was first launched in 2001 with the objective of becoming an iconic event on the national calendar and this year will be another defining moment in its history.”
The SEW-Eurodrive Victoria Cup Carnival is home to Victoria’s premier mobile races and will be showcased under lights at Moonee Valley over the next two Saturdays, December 13 and 20.
The Australian Trotting Grand Prix, for which the barrier draw was conducted at today’s launch, is one of three Group 1 events amongst the 20-race carnival which will see Australia and New Zealand’s best compete for over $820,000 in prizemoney.
The carnival’s signature race, the SEW-Eurodrive Victoria Cup, is on December 20 and the pacers will chase a record $375,000 purse in the nation’s premier middle distance race.
Night two will also feature the $50,000 Bill Collins Trotters Mile at Group 1 level and the Group 3 $40,000 MHRC Victoria Sires Classic for three-year-old Vicbred pacers.
Mr Busse said the carnival has proven a great success in its pre-Christmas timeslot and this year it heralds in a busy summer of feature racing across Victoria.
“The carnival continues to grow in stature and after the EI outbreak we’re looking forward to the return of interstate and New Zealand horses this year,” he said.
“The SEW-Eurodrive Victoria Cup is the championship race in Australian harness racing with the sport’s elite competing over a classic distance and we’re excited to offer a record stake of $375,000 this year which represents a 50 percent increase over the past five years.
“The carnival starts a huge summer in Victoria with an array of great country cups leading into the return of the Sky Channel Nights Of Glory on January 31 and February 7.”
As has become the norm with the SEW-Eurodrive Victoria Cup Carnival, the off-track action will be just a frantic as families and friends gather trackside to celebrate Christmas.
The carnival’s annual family night will be held this Saturday with free carnival rides, an animal nursery, the inflatable Adrenalin Rush obstacle course and pony rides for the kids.
Roving entertainers will also keep the crowd amused, whilst the adults can enjoy live music in the MHRC Deck Bar in between races.
The 5-Star Party Promotion on night two will see one sporting or social club walk away with $5000. Clubs have to pre-register on www.viccup.com.au by December 17 and then lodge their entries trackside on SEW-Eurodrive Victoria Cup night for their chance to win.
SEN’s Daniel Harford will host the party in the MHRC Deck Bar with live music again a feature.
The gates will open at 5pm on each night of the carnival with the first of 10 races scheduled for 6.35pm and 6.25pm on December 13 and 20 respectively.
Adult admission is $10 this Saturday night and $15 on December 20 with children under 18 admitted free on both nights. Tickets may be purchased at the gate on race night.
“These prices remain unchanged from previous years and again offer outstanding value-for-money for families with the array of free entertainment trackside,” Mr Busse said.
Great dining packages still remain for both nights of the carnival and can be booked by contacting the Moonee Valley Customer Service Centre on 1300 79 79 59.
The SEW-Eurodrive Victoria Cup Carnival feature events include;
Saturday night, December 13
- $100,000 SEW-Eurodrive Australian Trotting Grand Prix (Group 1)
- $30,000 SEW-Eurodrive Popular Alm Free For All (Group 3)
- $20,000 MHRC 3YO Cup
Saturday night, December 20
- $375,000 SEW-Eurodrive Victoria Cup (Group 1)
- $50,000 Bill Collins Trotters Mile (Group 1)
- $40,000 MHRC Victoria Sires Classic (Group 3)
For further information on the SEW-Eurodrive Victoria Cup Carnival visit www.viccup.com.au.
