The 2019 Wagga Gold Cup will be worth $170,000 after MTC decided to increase prizemoney by $10,000 for the second consecutive year.

The major two days of the Wagga Gold Cup carnival will also carry record prizemoney of $810,000.

The recent increases in prizemoney by Racing NSW, where Saturday metropolitan races are now worth $125,000, prompted MTC to boost the purse for the Cup again.

MTC chief executive Scott Sanbrook described it as an exciting move for the club.

“With an increase in prizemoney across the board – in particular Sydney Saturday meetings – we have committed to build on the Wagga Gold Cup to ensure its status as one of the richest feature races in country racing,” Sanbrook said.

“These are exciting times for owners and trainers, with the likes of the Country Championships, the Kosciuszko and TAB Highways bringing plenty of money back to the country.

“And it’s exciting for the MTC to be playing such a significant role by continuing to boost prizemoney.

“The XXXX Gold Town Plate has undergone a major transformation in recent times to carry $150,000 in prizemoney and perfectly complement the Cup.”

Both Town Plate and Gold Cup days have been again made showcase meetings by Racing NSW and will carry a minimum prizemoney level of $30,000.

The strength of the Town Plate has been highlighted by the subsequent group one wins of 2017 winner Santa Ana Lane.

The prizemoney increase comes less than a week after it was confirmed that an NRL game will be held in Wagga on the day after the Gold Cup.

Canberra Raiders will bring a home game to the city as part of a bumper sporting weekend in Wagga.

Sanbrook believes the NRL game can only boost MTC’s Cup day crowd.

“It’s certainly got to help,” he said.

“You’ve got to think that there’s going to be some people that will be attracted to coming to the NRL game, who wouldn’t normally think about the Cup but because it’s on the same time, they’ll utilise both days.”

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