|
|
The programme of feature
races in Singapore next year has been revamped significantly to provide a
more balanced programme throughout the year for all groups of horses. The
names, conditions and prizemonies of some of the feature races have been
changed. Some of the significant changes are:
| Race |
Change |
| Singapore Derby |
Prizemoney increased
to $1,000,000 |
| Singapore Guineas |
Prizemoney increased
to $500,000 and upgraded to Singapore Group 1 |
| Chairman’s Trophy |
Prizemoney increased
to $300,000 and upgraded to Singapore Group 2 |
| Patrons’ Bowl |
Distance changed to
1600m and is now second leg of Singapore 4YO Challenge |
| Merlion Trophy |
To be run over 1200m
on Polytrack. |
| Singapore 3YO Sprint
and Singapore 4YO Sprint |
Discontinued and
replaced by Paititi Gold Trophy and Garden City Trophy |
| Singapore 4YO Mile |
Discontinued and
replaced by Moonbeam Vase |
| Stewards’ Cup |
Conditions changed and
is now first leg of Singapore 4YO Challenge |
| Singapore Derby |
Trial Discontinued and
replaced by Fortune Bowl which will be run during Chinese New Year
period every year |
(Full list of feature races and their
respective prizemonies and conditions)
Number of Meetings
Ninety race meetings have been scheduled in 2010 compared to 83 race
meetings in 2009. The increase in the number of race meetings is to create
sufficient opportunities for the increasing number of horses at Kranji.
Singapore 3YO Challenge and Singapore 4YO Challenge
With the change in the names and conditions of some of the feature races,
the Singapore 3YO Challenge and the Singapore 4YO Challenge have been
restructured accordingly. The 3YO Challenge and the 4YO Challenge will now
be as follows:
Singapore 3YO Challenge
| 1st Leg |
Sophomore Sprint |
SG3 |
1200m |
$ 250,000 |
| 2nd Leg |
Singapore Futurity |
SG2 |
1400m |
$ 350,000 |
| 3rd Leg |
Singapore Guineas |
SG1 |
1600m |
$ 500,000 |
Singapore 4YO Challenge
| 1st Leg |
Stewards’ Cup |
SG2 |
1400m |
$ 300,000 |
| 2nd Leg |
Patrons’ Bowl |
SG1 |
1600m |
$ 500,000 |
| 3rd Leg |
Singapore Derby |
SG1 |
2000m |
$1,000,000 |
The prizemoney of $500,000 and the Singapore Group 1 status for the
Singapore Guineas further cements its position as the premier race for three
year olds in Singapore. It is also fitting that the Singapore Guineas
anchors the Singapore 3YO Challenge and this will make the 3YO Challenge
even more exciting and challenging.
The change in the distance for the Patrons’ Bowl from 1400m to 1600m will
allow the prizemonies of the races in the Singapore 4YO Challenge to
progress upwards from one leg to the other thus increasing the level of
excitement and anticipation from the first leg to the second leg.
Feature Races on polytrack
With effect from 2010, the Merlion Trophy, first leg of the Singapore Sprint
Series, will be held over 1200m on the polytrack instead of on the turf
track. This will add variety as well and raise the excitement in the Sprint
Series to a higher level.
This move together with the $175,000 Singapore Group 3 Proinn Construct
Stakes over 1700m is aimed at further improving the quality of polytrack
races.
Turf Meetings vs Mixed Meetings
The number of turf meetings will be reduced while the number of mixed
meetings will be increased. This move is to ensure that the turf surface
remains in a good condition for racing throughout the year.
However, despite the reduction in the number of turf meetings, the number of
turf races will increase slightly in 2010 compared to 2009. This will be
achieved through programming more turf races during mixed meetings. Eight or
nine turf races will be programmed for mixed day meetings while four or five
turf races will be programmed for night mixed meetings. 
|
