To coincide with the launch of the Spring Racing Carnival, the Melbourne Racing Club is proud to announce its new association with the world class Swettenham Stud, which will include two new sponsorship innovations.
The Swettenham Stud Summer Championship comprises 10 heats and one final, to be run over distances between 1400m – 1600m at five venues, through December 2011 and January 2012.
The Final will be held on Saturday, 28 January 2012 at Betfair Park as an Open 1600m Handicap with prizemoney of $100,000. The horse that accumulates the most points throughout the championship will win the Swettenham Stud Summer Championship. The prize package will include a trophy and free service from highly regarded new stallion Equiano, valued at $16,500, to the registered owners of the winning horse.
Swettenham Stud Principal Adam Sangster said, “We are really pleased to be associated with the new Summer Championship and have committed to Melbourne Racing Club on the basis of sponsoring the series for the next two years. It’s important to us to form alliances with like minded racing entities.”
Swettenham Stud Summer Championship Series:
| HEAT | VENUE | DATE | RACE |
| 1 | Sandown Lakeside | Wed, 21 Dec 2011 | $30k 0-82 Hcp 1600m |
| 2 | Sandown Hillside | Sat, 24 Dec 2011 | $70k Open Hcp 1500m |
| 3 | Caulfield | Mon, 26 Dec 2011 | $70k 0-82 Hcp 1400m |
| 4 | Mornington | Tues, 27 Dec 2011 | $100k Listed Lord Stakes 1600m |
| 5 | Moonee Vallee | Sat, 31 Dec 2011 | $50k 0-82 Hcp 1600m |
| 6 | Flemington | Mon, 2 Jan 2012 | $70k Open Hcp 1400m |
| 7 | Caulfield | Sat, 7 Jan 2012 | $70k 0-82 Hcp 1400m |
| 8 | Caulfield | Sat, 7 Jan 2012 | $70k 0-89 Hcp 1600m |
| 9 | Flemington | Sat, 14 Jan 2012 | $70k Open Hcp 1600m |
| 10 | Flemington | Sat, 21 Jan 2012 | $70k 0-89 Hcp 1400m |
| FINAL | Sandown Lakeside | Sat, 28 Jan 2012 | $100k Open Hcp (N/C) 1600m |
*For full details of series please go to www.mrc.net.au
In addition to the Swettenham Stud Summer Championship, the Swettenham Stud Dash For Cash will launch this season as part of a new two-years-old racing initiative.
Research conducted by Melbourne Racing Club in conjunction with Racing Victoria in regard to early two year old racing illustrated that numbers were above the early two year old racing average at Betfair Park in comparison to the gradually declining numbers at country races.
Based on these results, and with consultation from leading Caulfield trainers, three x 900m races have been programmed to run at Betfair Park, from November through to 1st February 2012.
“Melbourne Racing Club believes that Betfair Park is a great educational venue for two-year-olds and provides them with an opportunity to run before a break in an effort to earn prize money with a view to gaining a start in the club’s richest two year old race, the $1 million Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Stakes. The introduction of the unique 900m races would mean Melbourne Racing Club would be the only metropolitan club in Australia to host such two year old races,” said Alasdair Robertson, Chief Executive at the Melbourne Racing Club.
“We are pleased to announce this new arrangement with Swettenham Stud and believe this association with the new two-year-old 900m races at Betfair Park will create great opportunities for the sport along with Swettenham Stud and Melbourne Racing Club alike. Swettenham Stud has committed to sponsoring these races for the next two years,” he said.
Melbourne Racing Club Spring Carnival Dates
• The Age Caulfield Guineas Day – 8th October
• Schweppes Thousand Guineas Day – Wednesday, 12th October
• BMW Caulfield Cup Day – Saturday, 15th October