Record First Prize For TAB Melbourne Cup

WINNING connections of the TAB Melbourne Cup will scoop a record $500,000 first prize after the club announced a prizemoney boost to its flagship event on Thursday.

This year's Group 1 Melbourne Cup, slated for decision at Sandown Park on Friday, November 26, will carry a total prize purse of $762,500 which represents an increase of 21 per cent.

For the first time fourth placed prizemoney ($37,500) will be paid to align with Greyhound Racing Victoria's newly introduced prizemoney increase to be rolled out from October 1.

Neil Brown, Chairman of the Sandown Greyhound Racing Club, said the announcement was another major step forward in ensuring the events upwards trajectory,  reflecting its status as the world's most prestigious event.

"The Melbourne Cup is a race that trainers across the country aspire to win, it's a career defining achievement,” Brown said.

Hard Style Rico crossed them early to bolt in the world's greatest greyhound race the TAB Melbourne Cup. That's a @sandowndogs track record ? @WatchDogRacing pic.twitter.com/2dX4Z5GEmf

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 27, 2020

“The prize money is a life changing sum, but it's the prestige and history behind the Cup that defines its status as the world's greatest greyhound race.

"The Cup has an honour roll that sparkles like no other feature event across the country. It's filled with Hall of Famers, both greyhounds and participants that have had a huge impact on the sport."

The road towards Melbourne Cup glory begins on October 7 with the first round of qualifiers.

Heat of the time-honoured event will be staged on November 19 leading into the following week's final where a cool half-a-million in prize money will for the first time await winning connections.