Ballarat and District Trotting Club has joined forces with Durham Park to create a direct pathway to Queensland’s rich slot race for two-year-old pacers, the Protostar.
The winner of the inaugural $20,000 Durham Park Rising Star Ballarat at Bray Raceway on Thursday, June 12, will be invited by the BDTC and Durham Park to race in their slot in the $500,000 Ladbroke Protostar at Albion Park on July 12.
The BDTC and Durham Park principal Bruce Edward were fortunate earlier this year to secure a much sought-after slot in the event via a ballot.
In addition to providing eligibility to contest Australia’s richest two-year-old race during the Inter Dominion Championship Carnival, the BDTC will provide $10,000 travel subsidy to the connections of the horse which fills the BDTC and Durham Park slot.
Ballarat and District Trotting Club chief executive officer Paul Rowse said it was exciting to be working in a new partnership with Ballarat’s own Durham Park, one of Australia’s leading standardbred breeding nurseries.
He said it was a real thrill to enhance the club’s racing product, while at the same time promoting juvenile racing in Victoria and opening up an opportunity for connections to secure a start in one of Australia’s most prestigious two-year-old features.
Mr Edward said “I’m very happy to partner with BDTC to promote juvenile racing in Victoria and provide a pathway to the rich $500,000 Ladbroke Protostar in sunny Queensland. It provides an affordable opportunity for all 2YO owners, with BDTC providing a $10,000 travel subsidy. I’d encourage all owners and trainers to target the qualifying race at Ballarat on June 12.”
The Protostar will comprise a field of 10, with other slot holders being Ladbrokes, Anthony Vugec, GSM Racing, Garrard Ownership Group, Warren Viney, Robert Watson, Willowood Farm, Adele Forbes and Tonkin-Stewart Racing.
