The great news for the Cat 2 Coral Coronation Cup finalists is that tomorrow’s winner’s prize money will be boosted by a £5,000 bonus to £10,000 (from £5,000). It will retain the similar prize in 2021 when it becomes a Category One event similar to the 575m Essex Vase and Champion Stakes.
IAN SMYTH
Earlier this week, Ladbrokes Coral boss Ian Smyth said: “I am investigating whether or not it is possible to increase the prize money. I felt very sorry for the connections of Sparta Master who missed out of his chance in a Category One final (due to a traffic incident). He is the best dog I have seen at Romford and it would give him his chance.”
Master’s owner trainer Sharon Thompson said: “Wow – you are kidding! What an amazing gesture. Thank you so much Coral. I don’t know whether we will win it or not, hopefully we can, but what an amazing thing to do. So kind.”
Furthermore, as part of its Triple Crown challenge, the track have announced that any greyhound winning two of its three 575 Cat 1s, will receive a £2,500 bonus. Win all three, and the bonus is another £5,000.
Smyth has asked that the situation re the changes in open race prize money at Hove – as incorrectly detailed earlier this week on this website – should be clarified.
He said: “There will definitely be fewer low quality open races at Hove as was stated in the article. However, any money saved by staging graded races, which inevitably cost less to stage, will be redistributed into open race prize money, not graded. I don’t have details at the moment, though it seems likely that we will stage smaller competitions – possibly 18 or 24 runner competitions – to run alongside the major events.”
