Emerald Cup now worth a Million

Africa’s richest race on sand, the Emerald Cup, will carry a mega stake of
R1 million from this year and the conditions of the event have been altered
in favour of the higher-rated runners.

The conditions for this year’s Grade 2 race, to be run over 1450m on the
Vaal sand track on Saturday 27 September, are similar to those for a
Pinnacle Plate with the weights based on bands of merit ratings and a
maximum top weight of 62kg.

Runners will be weighted as follows:
Merit rating 115 or more: 62kg
Merit rating 111 to 114: 60kg
Merit rating 107 to 110: 58kg
Merit rating 103 to 106: 56kg
Merit rating 99 to 102: 54kg
Merit rating 95 to 98: 52kg
Merit rating 94 and less: 50kg

The conditions of the Emerald Fillies’ Stakes have also been amended and
will be similar to the Emerald Cup from this year.
And as a result of the changes to the conditions of the Emerald Cup and the
Emerald Fillies Stakes, the Grade 3 August Stakes and the Sand Beach Stakes
(Non-Black Type feature) at the end of August will be run as handicaps and
not conditions races going forward.
These are the dress rehearsal races for the big day a month later and, as
such, the winners will continue to be guaranteed a place in the Emerald Cup
and the Emerald Fillies Stakes respectively.
“It’s a positive step forward,” said Phumelela Horseracing Executive
Patrick Davis. “The new conditions of the Emerald Cup favour the best
horses and better position the race for Grade 1 status. The increase in
prize money was a joint decision by the Racing Association and Phumelela,
while the changes to the conditions of the various races were decided by
the Highveld Race Programming Committee.”
Emerald Cup Day, which is sponsored by the Emerald Resort and Casino, will
be a fabulous occasion with seven feature races on the 10-race programme.

wht do you think about the new race condition?

I didn't know that the weights in a pinnacle plate were based on bands of merit ratings, I thought they were based on the number of career wins.

i expect some raiders will make the trip - Great day and worth driving to the Vaal for the party

good horse giving advantage to bad horses makes racing a lottery...

MrH
Weights of Conditions races and plate races are based upon number of wins. Pinnacle plates are based upon set weights for groups of MR.

Great stuff (tu)

Problem is that the "dress rehearsal " being a handicap ,could be won, by a nose, by the bottom weight and then qualify into the main event at conditions that give it little chance!

great ....will give the best horses a realistic winning chance .... dress rehearsal should have been the same conditions.

Good stuff - seems like a nice day out at the course (tu)

Emerald Resort & Casino has announced Saturday, 27th September as the date for this year’s annual Emerald Cup. Now in its 10th year, Phumelela Gaming Limited have upped the winning stake from R600 000 to a whopping R1 million.
This year’s Emerald Cup Grade 2 race will again be run over 1450m on the Vaal sand track on Saturday 27 September. Additionally, conditions to the event have been altered in favour of higher-rated runners.
Phumelela’s Horseracing Executive Patrick Davis commented “The new conditions of the Emerald Cup favour the best horses and better position the race for Grade 1 status. The increase in prize money was a joint decision by the Racing Association and Phumelela, while the changes to the conditions of the various races were decided by the Highveld Race Programming Committee.”
The Emerald Cup is sponsored by Emerald Resort & Casino and is the perfect family outing. The event accentuates some of the best local musical talent. The event also offers a variety of activities for kids of all ages. Braai facilities and food stations are also available right next to the track.
Martin Rice, CEO of Emerald Resort & Casino explained “The Emerald Cup has for many years been one of our flagship events but this year the event has become more prestigious as the stakes get increased to rival any of the top feature races in this country. We’re looking forward to attracting the top race horses, jockeys and trainers.” He added that this event will raise the popularity of the race, further encouraging tourism and spend in the Vaal and Sedibeng region.

I wonder if IN A RUSH will defend his title....