Winter racing upgrade?

[curious]

NZTR Fuels Winter Racing Momentum New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has unveiled a refreshed winter racing schedule for 2025, delivering stakes increases and backing Clubs that are lifting the bar over the colder months. Leading the way is the return of Whangārei Racing Club’s 2025 Winter Championships at Ruakākā Racecourse, now set for Saturday 28 June. Proudly sponsored by ITM/GIB, the meeting features five $60,000 Finals, providing strong incentives for connections targeting progressive winter horses.  The first round of qualifying races for the 2025 Winter Championships kicks off this Saturday 17 May at Ellerslie Racecourse, including the 2YO feature - the $100,000 Listed SkyCity Champagne Stakes (1600m). There are no early nominations this year, with all qualifying races listed in the latest NZTR Racing Programme Guide and available online here. On Saturday 19 July, Taranaki Racing Inc.’s Powerworx Opunake Cup Day at New Plymouth Raceway receives a significant lift. The Listed Powerworx Opunake Cup (1400m) climbs to $120,000, with the winner earning a ballot exemption into the $110,000 Group 3 Winning Edge Presentations 128th Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton Park Racecourse. The total prizemoney for the day increases to $435,000, up $100,000 from 2024. NZTR Chief Executive Officer Matt Ballesty said the calendar adjustments aim to build consistency across the winter months. “These enhancements are a positive step for winter racing. They provide better structure for participants, increase opportunities at key points in the season and support Clubs that are looking to grow their raceday offerings.” The season wraps with a reinvigorated Taumarunui Cup Day, hosted by Taumarunui Racing Club at Te Rapa Racecourse on Saturday 26 July. The Taumarunui Cup (2200m) stake doubles to $100,000, thanks to a co-investment from NZTR and Taumarunui Racing Club. The 1300m Open Handicap also increases to $50,000 and the 1400m 3YO SW+P to $55,000, with total stakes for the day hitting $350,000. “Taumarunui (Racing Club) is a strong example of a tenant Club taking the lead,” said Ballesty. “They’ve put forward a clear plan to grow their feature raceday and NZTR is pleased to support that investment,” he said.  These enhancements sit alongside a major milestone at the 2025 Grand National Festival of Racing at Riccarton Park Racecourse in August this year. Held by Canterbury Jockey Club, the 150th edition of the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) will be run for a record $200,000, the highest purse in the race’s history. With solid prizemoney increases across these winter features, NZTR is backing Clubs, supporting participants and building a more competitive and compelling winter season. Winter 2024-25 Feature Highlights: 2025 Winter Championships | Ruakākā Racecourse – Saturday 28 June ·         $60,000 ITM/GIB Stayers’ Final (2100m) – Open HCP ·         $60,000 ITM/GIB Sprinters’ Final (1400m) – Open HCP ·         $60,000 ITM/GIB Progressive Final – Spc Con HCP ·         $60,000 ITM/GIB 3YO Final – 3YO SW+P ·         $60,000 ITM/GIB 2YO Final – 2YO SW+P ·         No early nominations; qualifying races are listed in NZTR’s RPG and online here Powerworx Opunake Cup Day | New Plymouth Raceway – Saturday 19 July ·         Listed Powerworx Opunake Cup (1400m) increased to $120,000 ·         Winner earns ballot exemption into the $110,000 Group 3 Winning Edge Presentations 128th Winter Cup (1600m) ·         Total day stakes lifted to $435,000 (up $100,000 from 2024) Taumarunui Cup Day | Te Rapa Racecourse – Saturday 26 July ·         Taumarunui Cup (2200m) stake doubled to $100,000 ·         1300m Open Handicap increased to $50,000 ·         1400m 3YO SW+P increased to $55,000 ·         Total day stakes lifted to $350,000 (up from $285,000) Grand National Festival of Racing | Riccarton Park Racecourse – 2, 6 and 9 August ·         150th edition of the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) to be run for a record $200,000 ·         Represents a major milestone and boost for Jumps racing   Corporate Communications New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Contact: Emma Thompson +64 21 071 2929 nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nz