The Big Dance: Racing NSW announces $2m Sydney race for Melbourne Cup Day

Racing NSW will shake up Melbourne Cup Day with the announcement of a new $2 million Sydney race called The Big Dance.

Peter V’landys is putting on his biggest dance move yet with an audacious plan to cash in on the Melbourne Cup.

The Racing NSW boss will on Wednesday announce a new $2 million race called The Big Dance to run at Royal Randwick straight after the race that stops the nation.

It is designed to give racegoers a reason to extend the party and is expected to put Victorian noses out of joint with prize money 10 times that of any race at Flemington on the first Tuesday in November other than the $8 million Cup itself.

Sydney’s The Big Dance will give the winners of 25 Country Cup races across NSW the chance to compete for the $2 million prize money. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

Peter V'landys at the barrier draw of the 2021 Everest horse race. Picture: Richard Dobson

“To have another big race on Melbourne Cup Day, which is an iconic Australian Day, can only be a good thing,” leading trainer Bjorn Baker said.

“It is a great thing for Sydney to become part of the celebration of racing and have a big race here on the same day.

“I feel it will complement the Cup and put the spotlight on racing in both states,” Mr Baker said. “As a trainer I am also thrilled at the prize money on offer.”

Punters celebrate at The Everest at Royal Randwick. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The race will also extend The Everest Carnival, which has attracted a new young audience to the track with its signature $15 million race which is the world’s richest race on turf.

“Racing NSW have introduced some wonderful new initiatives for racing that are attracting younger people and this is another one,” Mr Baker said.

Covid lockdowns have seen attendance at Royal Randwick on Melbourne Cup day over the last two years exceed that of Flemington with more than 15,000 trackside at the course.

Leading trainer Bjorn Baker, pictured with Fun Fact, says he is excited for Sydney’s new race event, The Big Dance. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Racing bosses in NSW now want to capitalise on that and bring more people into the new $46.6 million state-of-the-art Winx Stand.

They hope to attract that younger audience with the new race and a Melbourne Cup Day after-party featuring big name live acts similar to those who have performed at The Everest including former Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland and Jason Derulo.

Sydney’s The Big Dance is designed to attract a younger audience. Picture: Michael Klein.

The Everest race day at Royal Randwick. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The Big Dance has been named after the NCAA Basketball tournament in America where 64 teams compete to be crowned the best in the country.

In Australia The Big Dance will give the winners of 25 Country Cup races across NSW the chance to compete for the $2 million in prize money.

Mr Baker said the concept would provide a major boost for country racing and may also attract metropolitan trainers, horses and jockeys to regional tracks for a chance to compete for the $2 million payday.

The prize money automatically shoots The Big Dance into the top tier of big paying race days in the country.

It is just one of a number of major announcements expected to be made by Racing NSW at a press conference Wednesday morning.

Originally published as The Big Dance: Racing NSW announces $2m Sydney race for Melbourne Cup Day