Notable changes have been made to the programme of the New Zealand Cup Meeting to be held at Riccarton Park on Saturday 5, Wednesday 9 and Saturday 12 November 2022.

The Lindauer Stewards Stakes, Group 3 over 1200 metres has been changed from the middle day to the last day.  This provides a week between it and the Donaldson Brown Pegasus Stakes, Listed 1000 metres on the first day.  Consequently, it will be more attractive for sprinters to run for $80,000 on the first day and back-up for $120,000 on the third day.

Most important, nominations for the Lindauer Stewards Stakes close at 12 noon on Friday 4 November prior to racing on the first day.  This enables the first three placegetters in the Donaldson Brown Pegasus Stakes to be granted exemption from the ballot in the Lindauer Stewards Stakes and the winner will not incur a rehandicap for that race.

The Welcome Stakes has been moved to the second day to continue to provide three Group and Listed races on each of the three days of the NZ Cup Meeting.  The two-year-old feature will be run for a stake of $80,000.  It complements the $250,000 18^th running of the Group 3 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile.

The Group 1 feature on the first day the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai 50^th NZ 2000 Guineas will be run for $550,000 and the last days Group 1 Barneswood Farm 50^th NZ 1000 Guineas for $400,000.

Importantly Final late entries close on Tuesday 1 November and Tuesday 8 November, respectively.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and Club stake increases enhance rewards for the open handicap stayers.  The first days Nautical Insurance Metropolitan Trophy over 2500 metres carries a stake of $100,000 and the Martin Collins 159^th New Zealand Cup, 3200 metres, is run for $300,000.  The first three placegetters in the Nautical Insurance Metropolitan Trophy are exempt from the ballot in the Martin Collins NZ Cup and the winner will not incur a rehandicap.

For further information please contact Canterbury Jockey Club Chief Executive Tim Mills 027 430 0208.