Top End racing fans will notice a big change in the Darwin Cup Carnival in 2023

A major change has been announced ahead of the 2023 Darwin Cup Carnival, while Ladbrokes has flagged a swag of new jobs for the Alice Springs race track.

A significant change has been made to the Darwin Cup Carnival ahead of the 2023 season, while Ladbrokes has announced a wave of new jobs for Alice Springs.

The change comes in the Ladbrokes Triple Crown which is awarded to a horse who wins the big three Carnival races – Darwin Guineas, NT Derby and the Darwin Cup – in the same year.

The feat has only been achieved by two horses those being Brinney in 1989 and Ventilago in 1996.

Historically, the treble has been dominated by three-year-old horses, but now with a crucial change the Triple Crown, renamed the Territory Treble, will open up to all-aged gallopers.

The Treble, which will come with a $100,000 bonus, will now be awarded to the horse which wins the Alice Springs Cup (April 30), the Chief Minister’s Cup (July 15) and the Darwin Cup (August 7).

In 2022, Champion trainer Gary Clarke won both the Chief Ministers Cup and the Darwin Cup with Playoffs, however the runner did not race in the Alice Springs feature.

Ventilago was the last horse to win the Darwin Triple Crown.

Meanwhile, in 2014, Pretty Blonde won both the Alice Springs and Darwin Cups, but failed to grab the win in the Chief Ministers Cup.

Darwin Turf Club chief executive Grant Dewsbury said there was now a real possibility for horses to grab the treble, rather than the “outside chance” under the previous criteria.

“This is a great new concept and will only add to an already exciting Darwin Cup Carnival,” Dewsbury said.

“We appreciate the flexibility Ladbrokes have shown to support this concept, which really serves to strengthen the carnivals both in Darwin and Alice Springs.”

Ladbrokes executive director of stakeholder engagement Karl deKroo said the change was a chance to revitalise the concept and a chance to engage both Darwin and Alice Springs.

“We viewed this change as a great opportunity to revitalise the concept and increase the probability for the bonus to go off,” deKroo said.

“It is also a chance for Ladbrokes to underline our commitment to the sustainability and growth of racing in the Territory.

“This new concept still provides a significant challenge to win all three Cups, but it feels far more achievable and has the added benefit of engaging both the Red Centre and Top End.”

Brinney won the Darwin Triple Crown in 1989.

It follows Ladbrokes recent investment in the NT, which includes a two-year deal to become the wagering partner and naming rights sponsor at Adelaide River, Katherine and Tennant Creek.

The sponsorship will allow the country track Cups to be worth $30,000 in 2023, with potential increases in years to come.

They have also made a commitment to offer 20 new job placements in Alice Springs to join the established workforce at the racetrack.

“These racetracks and in particular the Cup days are important community events that bring people together and we want to help ensure their ongoing viability,” deKroo said.