Big Plans: Prizemoney Lift For Townsville Cup

THIS year's Group 3 Townsville Cup will have a stakes rise with the winner earning $40,000 in a bid to eventually earn Group 2 status.

That is a rise from $25,000.

The 498 metre series will be run on September 3 and 10.

It has been moved back a week to cater for the Million Dollar Chase series carnival set to begin around the same time.

“The rise to $40,000 to the winner is so the race can achieve Group 2 status after the usual three year period,” a Townsville Club spokesman said Thursday.

It is hoped such a prizemoney lift will see eight heats being run.

As usual a Cup Consolation, worth $7000 to the winner, and a Best 8 over 640m worth $5000 to the winner, will also be run.

But plans are also underway for a sprint series over 380m with $10,000 to the winner to be run during the Cup carnival.

The Club spokesman also said plans for a Speed Star series to be run later in the year are under way.

“The winner of the Speed Star would automatically win its way into the North Queensland Cup final at the end of November,” the spokesman said.

“The Speed Star series is just being discussed at the moment but the club is very keen to go ahead because of the popularity of such series.

“That Speed Star would have a $5000 winner's purse and go into the North Queensland Cup which we plan to rise to $15,000 to the winner and hopefully gain Listed status.”