In another hit to what has long been considered the most prestigious race in the region, only $25,000 in prizemoney is up for grabs on January 25. 

The past three editions of Leeton’s two-year-old classic have been group threes worth $40,000.

However the dramatic cut sees the race lose group status and now sits behind Wagga and Young’s cups as the region’s most lucrative race.

Leeton secretary Joanne Punch said removing the nomination fee was the reason behind the significant decline.

However she hopes the race will still be supported.

“With the way numbers were and people hanging off a bit we thought we would give it a try,” Punch said.

“That is why we’ve dropped it as we don’t have that early payment.”

Punch believes the change will give more people the opportunity to be part of the race.

The most successful trainer in the race’s history, six-time winner Peter Manning, believes not having a nomination fee will offset the prizemoney drop.

“It is still pretty generous compared to what you race for normally so I don’t think it would alter the decision,” Manning said.

“It will be made on the group I am working now get qualified and would be competitive.”

Punch highlighted that some of the funds have been allocated to the club’s Carnival of Cups races on January 1.

The C0 Golden Apple final and C1-C2 Milbrae Quarries final will increased by around $1000 each while the Leeton Pacers Cup is up $5000 so all races to be worth $15,000.

However the ladies invitation race has also suffered a cut, down around $4000 to $10,000.

It is expected only Australian bred horses will be eligible to race at the meeting as well as heat races on December 26, which will be the club’s first meeting of the season.

It is the second time the two-year-old feature won’t be run over the Christmas and New Year period with heats to be run on January 11.

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