While feature events over the carnival have been increased a feature of the announcement was news that standard races will also be boosted.

The standard minimum prizemoney for restricted flat and jumping races on Saturdays and public holidays will be a minimum of $50,000, a $10,000 increase.

Standard races on these days (Saturdays and public holidays) will now offer prizemoney of up to $60,000, also an increase of $10,000.

The minimum prize money for races on Sundays will rise $3,000 to a minimum of $28,000. Some will be run for as much as $35,000.

Midweek races will also be boosted with the minimum stakes for such races rising from $22,000 to $24,000.

Four non black type events during the VRC season will have their prizemoney elevated from $75,000 to $100,000.

Feature races over the carnival also received a boost by the committee of the VRC. The Group One Salinger Stakes will now be worth $500,000, up $100,000 on last year.

The Ascot Vale, Craiglee and Turnbull Stakes', all at Group Two level, have been raised from $150,000 to $200,000. The Maribyrnong Plate will also rise to $150,000 (was $100,000).

The VRC also announced that all Group Three races will be worth a minimum of $150,000. Three events to rise $50,000 will be the L'oreal Plate, The Debonair and The Gilgai Stakes.

VRC Chief Executive Dale Monteith said today there were a number of issues that led to the increases.

"The VRC’s capacity to meet these increases is as a direct result of the VRC’s expanding Membership base made possible by the construction of the new Grandstand combined with the continued growth of the clubs significant non TABCORP revenue streams from the Melbourne Cup Carnival," Mr Monteith said.

With an increase in prizemoney next season of $1.7 million the total budget for prizemoney with the VRC for the 2002-03 season is $28,976,000, plus trophies valued at $189,900.

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