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More than $600,000 is to be won by thoroughbred owners and breeders in the first Westspeed Platinum Race Day at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday, 18 December 2021.

Races are restricted to Westspeed Platinum horses only, as part of the Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) commitment to support the local breeding sector.

The races will include the Thoroughbred Breeders WA Platinum Plate, Westspeed Platinum Sires Stakes, EPONA Classic and Thoroughbred Breeders WA Stallion Tender Scheme Trophy.

In addition to $125,000 prize money for each race, two-year-old and three-year-old horses will be eligible for normal Westspeed Platinum bonuses for first, second and third place.

Thoroughbred Breeders WA (TBWA) will top up the breeder bonus on the two-year-old and three-year-old races from $7700 to $10,000 and pay a full $10,000 bonus to winning breeders for the EPONA Classic and TBWA Stallion Tender Trophy for older horses.

Manager of Commercial Racing and Planning David Hunter said a strong Western Australian breeding sector was vital to local thoroughbred racing and RWWA was pleased to introduce the four new Westspeed Platinum restricted races, with TBWA support.

"These races are in addition to the Westspeed Platinum race scheduled at most Saturday metropolitan meetings and will provide even more rewards to owners racing fully Western Australian bred horses.  I expect the local market to become even stronger due to these races," said David.

RWWA's extra investment of $6.8 million in the Westspeed Breeding Scheme, announced in 2019, will take total bonuses per year to more than $12 million in 2022/23.

TBWA President Fiona Lacey said breeders were thrilled to join the exciting new race day.

"The event coincides with our annual awards ceremony, so it is a day to showcase both our local product and our local breeders," said Fiona.

"This is the perfect opportunity to fulfill our commitment to reinvesting our Stallion Tender Scheme funds directly back to breeders."

The inaugural Westpeed Platinum Race Day will also feature the running of the Group 2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes and Starstruck Classic.

Westspeed Platinum Races:

$125K    2YO Open          SW+P       1000m   TBWA Westspeed Platinum Plate

$125K    3YO Open           SW+P         1200m   Westspeed Platinum Sires Stakes

$125K    4UP F&M            66+ Hcp         1200m   EPONA Classic

$125K    4UP E&G             66+ Hcp        1200m   TBWA Stallion Tender Scheme Trophy