Centrebet Sponsorship Of Magic Maiden Brings Positive Changes
The introduction of leading corporate bookmaker, Centrebet as sponsor of the 2011 Magic Maiden at Wentworth Park has coincided with major changes to the event.
Firstly, the first prize for the Group 3 event has been boosted to $25,000 and the first round heats – normally non-TAB events – have been elevated to TAB status.
Staged over 520m at Wentworth Park, heats are set down for Sunday, April 10 followed by four semi-finals on Friday, April 15 and the $25,000 final on Saturday April 23 which coincides with the Macro Meats Golden Easter Egg final.
To be eligible for the heats, a greyhound must have competed in a race or a GRNSW sanctioned Performance Qualifying Trial.
Performance trials will be staged prior to race meetings at Wentworth Park on each of the following dates: Friday, March 18, 2011 – Saturday, March 19, 2011 – Friday, March 25, 2011 and Saturday, March 26, 2011.
In addition, a specific, non-race meeting session will take place on Thursday, March 31. Two Performance trials will be staged prior to each of the race meetings, while the Thursday, March 31, session will be unlimited in number.
All Performance Trials will consist of no more than four contestants and all winners receive first preference if nominated for the heats.
NSW GBOTA Executive Officer, Brenton Scott was confident the new format would appeal to both local and visiting trainers.
“All heat winners are now competing for TAB prizemoney and the eligibility requirements are fair to all,” said Scott.
Scott added that the support of Centrebet would ensure the ongoing escalation of the event's profile.
“You can win three races and only lose your maiden status and the prizemoney is terrific.
“Plans are already in place to pay Metropolitan prizemoney for the heats in 2012 and Centrebet see the event growing as a major contributor to the structure of the Golden Easter Egg carnival.