Big Competition for the Dubai World Cup

AUSTRALIAN turf authorities have announced the creation of an AUS$18 million (£10.5m) end-of-season championship meeting featuring eight Group 1 races and the world's richest mile race.

The two-day fixture, named The Championships, will take place for the first time next year on Saturday April 12 and Saturday April 19, just weeks after the Dubai World Cup on March 29, at Royal Randwick racecourse in Sydney

The meeting's highlight will be the Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 1m2f, which will now be worth AUS$4m (£2.3m). Organisers Racing NSW have approached Buckingham Palace in the hope that there will be a royal racehorse in the race.

Also receiving significant boosts to prize-money are the Doncaster Mile, which will be worth AUS$3m and become the world's richest mile race, and the 6f TJ Stakes, won twice by Black Caviar, which will be worth AUS$2.5m.

Racing NSW chairman John Messara said: “We have identified ten championship races across various age and distance ranges which are the highlight of these two days. Some of these races become the richest of their category in Australia and the world.

“Eight of those races are already Group 1 events and with the injection of almost $10 million, this program will lure the finest horses from Australia and New Zealand and from other countries across the globe.

“Our goal is for this to become the greatest event for racing in the southern hemisphere.”

More big races to raid is good.

Think the timing (2/3 weeks after World Cup) would put MDK off from trying to make the trip?

Would keep the Japanese. Singaporeans and others in Aus, easier pickings for Team De Kock.(

P.S. Hope it keeps the Yanks away too.(tu)