Stakes for the Bow Mistress Trophy have been boosted from $100,000 to $150,000 in an attempt to have the race elevated to Group 3 status.
The Bow Mistress is a Listed race for fillies and mares run over 1200 metres at Tattersall’s Park under weight-for-age conditions on Derby Day, February 5.
Tasracing, in consultation with the Australian Pattern Committee, the Tasmanian Racing Club and Tasmanian breeders, have specifically targeted the race for elevation, believing it to be an achievable goal.
Unlike the major cups, where most of the spoils regularly head across to the mainland, Tasmanian breeders have demonstrated that they can produce horses that are competitive in this type of race, with outstanding mares such as Lady Lynette, I’m A Hussy, Lekitama, Nuclear Free and Kat’s Clause flying the flag for the locals in feature races both here and in Melbourne in recent years.
Betfair has also come to the party, sponsoring a $25,000 bonus for any horse that can win both the Bow Mistress and the $100,000 Vamos Stakes, also a Listed WFA fillies and mares race to be run over 1400 metres on Launceston Cup Day, 23 February 2011.
Betfair’s Commercial and Sponsorship Manager, Nick Cummins, believes the move will prove beneficial to the Tasmanian racing and breeding industry.
“Betfair is an avid supporter of racing in Tasmania and we are delighted to be supporting Tasracing’s new initiative of the Betfair Fillies and Mares Bonus. One of our key sponsorship objectives is to continue to work proactively with race clubs to develop ideas which support industry participants,” he said.
In its nine year history, the double has been achieved twice, by Flewella (2002) and Nuclear Free (2005).
However, on several occasions, including the last two years, the winner of the Bow Mistress has elected to unsuccessfully chase higher stakes in Melbourne rather than contest the Vamos.
It is hoped that the Betfair bonus will provide sufficient incentive to reverse that trend, which in turn will enhance the profile of the Vamos Stakes, another important race for the Tasmanian breeding industry.