July 2016

Racing NSW has today announced that prizemoney for the highly successful Highway races will be increased by 50% to $60,000 per race from $40,000.

The increased prizemoney for Highway races will commence on Saturday, 6 August 2016. The prizemoney increase maintains the position of Highway races for country participants in line with recently commenced increases in prizemoney for Country TAB racing.

“The Highway races have performed strongly since they commenced in October last year and warrant this further investment. The Highway races will now deliver $2.5 million in prizemoney annually,” said Racing NSW Chief Executive, Mr Peter V’landys AM.

The Highway races have gathered strong support over a short period drawing together progressive country gallopers on a weekly basis.

Delivering tremendously interesting and competitive racing, the Highway races provide a much-deserved opportunity for country trainers to showcase their skills and develop their profile at the key race meeting of the week in NSW.

“The most satisfying element of the Highway races to me is seeing the thrill and excitement among owners that have runners in these races,” Mr V’landys added.

“The frequency and positioning of Highway races gives punters a feel for these horses and their form.

“I’m also delighted that in the past month, three Highway race winners have progressed to win Saturday benchmark races. This must give country trainers a shot of confidence that they can be competitive in races when they come to Sydney,” Mr V’landys concluded.

News from Racing NSW

Tommy Berry will ride Rebel Dane when he resumes in the Missile Stakes on Saturday week and trainer Gary Portelli is pleased the leading jockey was aboard in a barrier trial on Monday.

Rebel Dane finished third in the trial behind Vashka and Majaska at Warwick Farm, settling off the pace and seeming to take a while to hit full speed in the concluding stages.

“It was good that Tommy has had the experience on the horse because he has lost a bit of that zip and acceleration he had when he was younger,” Portelli said.

“He is taking longer to unwind, taking a bit more riding to get to his top so I think it will be beneficial that Tommy rode him in the trial so he knows what he is dealing with on race day.”

Rebel Dane finished fourth last start in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes behind English, Black Heart Bart and Kermadec.

Portelli is keen to give Rebel Dane a gallop between races at Rosehill on Saturday, a formula he used before winning The Shorts first-up at last spring.

“Physically he is looking stronger than ever, I’ve never been happier with him,” Portelli said.

“We gave him a longer break out of the autumn last year and didn’t resume until the middle of September.

“This time around I wanted to get him in early and have him up firing before some of the big guns get back.

“After the Missile Stakes he will go to the Warwick Stakes and then we will assess the situation and look at our options from there.

“The Manikato is a race that he has performed well at in the past and it is something I’d like to take on again if we get to Melbourne.”

New from Brent Zerafa, Racing.com