The 2017 Lyn McPherson Memorial Breed for Speed Series race night at Tabcorp Park Melton will continue to be a night to celebrate the trotter at Victorian trots headquarters.
In line with its continuing push to increase racing opportunities for fillies and mares, Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) today announced increases to stakemoney for the Lyn McPherson Breed for Speed Series, which will see the Gold Final now Group 1 and worth $50,000, up from $30,000 last season.
The Breed for Speed Silver Final has increased in stakes from $12,000 to $20,000, while the Bronze Final purse has climbed to $14,000 from $10,000.
“Growing racing opportunities for fillies and mares is an ongoing key strategic direction for HRV and we’re thrilled to be able to announce the stakes increase for the Lyn McPherson Breed for Speed trotting series,” HRV Chairman Dale Monteith said.
The Saturday night, March 11, meeting will also feature the Need for Speed Finals and the Group 1 V L Dullard Trotters Cup.
The Pryde’s Easifeed Great Southern Star has been moved to A.G. Hunter Cup Night on Saturday, February 4, elevating the Dullard, Need for Speed and Breed for Speed races to the headline events on March 11.
“I’m delighted with the approach taken by Harness Racing Victoria. Our studbook will improve as time evolves due to the success of the Australasian Premier Trotting Sale and the increase in opportunities for mares to earn black-type prizemoney,” said prominent owner and Aldebaran Park principal, Duncan McPherson.
“The genetic improvement gained from the influx of frozen semen availability and the single sex racing for the Breeders Crown and Vicbred series have been fundamental to improving the trotting studbook.”
McPherson said a combination of the Victorian industry’s vision and proper implementation of those ideas has proven invaluable to bolstering the international standardbred gait in this state.
McPherson’s association with the Breed for Speed Series, first run in 2010, is deeply personal with the long-time trots aficionado’s wife, Lyn, succumbing in her fight against ovarian cancer.
The series was named in Lyn’s honour and forms an integral part of HRV’s Get Real, Support Teal charity push to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and money to combat the disease.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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