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After consulting widely with trainers, Racing NSW has acted to provide more options for emerging two and three-year-old stayers after the Sydney Carnival by programming a new event for Rosehill Gardens on Saturday 30 June.
The BOBS Significant Stakes will be run over 1900-metres and will offer a BOBS bonus of $40,000 – double the usual amount – as well as first prizemoney of $42,000.
“The trainers have told us they'd like to see middle-distance races at the higher end towards the close of the season for young horses that show real staying potential,” said Racing NSW Chief Executive Peter V'landys.
“We've agreed that there is a need for a race like this, so we're giving them the opportunity to run two-year-olds and three-year-olds in this event, and by doubling the usual BOBS bonus, we're making it even more attractive.”
Leading metropolitan trainers including Anthony Cummings, John O'Shea, David Payne and Peter Snowden are supportive of the concept and are keen to be a part of the series.
“It's a great concept,” said David Payne, who saw similar races programmed successfully in his native South Africa.
“The timing of the race series gives young horses with stamina the opportunity to mature through the season before competing for significant prizemoney.”
Two metropolitan races will serve as principal lead-ups to the BOBS Significant Stakes – on 12 May the ATC will run the $70,000 Juvenile Stayer 2YO Plate over 1800m at Rosehill Gardens, followed by the $40,000 Significant Prelude 2YO Handicap over 1800m at the Royal Randwick meeting on Monday 11 June.
Other events for two-year-olds include a 1600m event at the ATC Gosford meeting on 30 May; a 1500m race at Rosehill Gardens on 16 June, and a 1600m maiden event at Newcastle on 23 June.
Other lead-ups available for three-year-olds include a Benchmark 80 3YO handicap over 1500m at Rosehill Gardens on 16 June and a Benchmark 75 3YO handicap over 1850m at Newcastle on 20 June.
Under the set-weight conditions of the BOBS Significant Stakes, 3YO colts & geldings will carry 59kg, 3YO fillies 57kg; 2YO colts & geldings 54kg, and 2YO fillies 52kg.
