2YO race normally run on Cox Plate Day moves to Cup Week
The Inglis Banner, the race for two-year-olds that has been a part of Cox Plate Day since its inception in 2008, is on the move after Inglis strengthened its connection with the Victoria Racing Club.
The $500,000 Inglis Banner will now be run at Flemington on the Champions Day card that rounds out the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
The announcement comes just days after the $1 million Inglis Sprint was run on the Australian Guineas program, while Flemington also hosts the Inglis Bracelet during Melbourne Cup Week.
"Inglis have been an important partner of the Victoria Racing Club for more than two decades and they are undeniably a part of the fabric of racing in this country so we couldn't be more pleased," VRC chief executive Steve Rosich said.
"The addition of the Inglis Banner to the Cup Week program bolsters the racing program during Cup Week and we look forward to seeing the first edition run at Flemington later this year."
The Inglis Banner has proven a launching pad to success for many Inglis graduates with Group 1 globetrotter Starspangledbanner, Elite Falls and Fontiton among the past winners.
Last year's edition was won by Bold Bastille, who won at Listed level last weekend at Flemington.
The Inglis Banner carries not only $500,000 in prizemoney but also a $200,000 Inglis Pink Bonus for runners who are at least 75 percent owned by women.
"TAB Champions Stakes Day on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival has seen extraordinary growth in recent years and to have Inglis' feature Victorian two-year-old race added to that program – worth not only $500,000 in prizemoney but also carrying a $200,000 Inglis Pink Bonus incentive – is of huge significance to us as a company and industry partner," Inglis Bloodstock chief executive Sebastian Hutch said.
