The Roy Higgins joins five other Victorian races that carry a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup.

Along with a prize money boost to $500,000 and a step up in trip to 2800m at set-weights, The Roy Higgins at Flemington will provide the winner a golden ticket into the Cup.

The Roy Higgins joins The Andrew Ramsden (2800m), The Bart Cummings (2500m), the Caulfield Cup (2400m), the Cox Plate (2040m) and the Archer Stakes (2500m) as win and you’re in races.

Victoria Racing Club chief executive Steve Rosich said Club was pleased to offer connections the chance to race for a guaranteed place in the Melbourne Cup field.

“The Melbourne Cup is the race that everyone wants to win and the VRC expects The Roy Higgins to become a highlight on the new autumn program,” Rosich said.

“The decision to offer a sixth golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup was based on the principle that it gives trainers and connections the chance to plan an ideal road to the Cup.”

The Roy Higgins will move to Australian Cup Day, March 25, to boost that program and will be joined by the Listed Moomba Plate (1100m) which will increase to $500,000 and be renamed shortly.

Racing Victoria has also announced a 33% increase in prize money for Victoria’s premier two-year-old race, the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes.

The 1200m dash will carry prize money of $2 million and will be run this year at Sandown.

RV Executive General Manager – Racing, Matt Welsh, said the program in Melbourne during March now provides a perfect lead-up to the Sydney Autumn Carnival in April.

“The revamped Festival of Racing not only provides great opportunities for owners, trainers and fans here in Victoria, it complements The Championships in Sydney where horses can progress from their Melbourne grand finals in March to their Sydney grand finals in April,” Welsh said.

“The enhancements to our autumn program bring the total increases in prizemoney and bonuses on offer in Victoria for the 2022-23 racing season to more than $33 million.”