Future Star Series returns
Australia's richest maiden series will return in 2024.
Racing Victoria on Monday morning announced the Sportsbet Future Star Series will be back again at Pakenham with the first heats due for early January.
The heats will be run on seven consecutive Thursday nights at Pakenham with $1.2m in prizemoney up for grabs. There will be 12 heats across those meetings worth $75,000 each with race distances over 1200m and 1400m.
The final will be held on a revamped Thursday night meeting on February 29, which will also feature the Pakenham Cup. Both races are worth $300,000.
The jockeys challenge will also return in 2024.
Last year's series was won by Team Hayes-trained Marble Arch.
“Last year’s series also saw Thursday night turnover across all meetings increase by 16 per cent year-on-year against a backdrop of decline. Punters warmly embraced the format and it had a flow-on benefit across all Thursday night meetings and races," Racing Victoria's executive GM for Racing Matt Welsh said.
“So much time and investment goes into getting a horse to the track. This series is a highly sought-after opportunity for owners to score a lucrative first win with their horse, whilst creating a focal point of Thursday night racing and a narrative for fans and punters to follow throughout.
“We’re particularly excited to showcase the 2024 Sportsbet Future Stars Final alongside the first ever Pakenham Cup run under lights, which promises to be a huge evening on 29 February."
Pakenham CEO Blair Ogders said the Pakenham Racing Club was delighted that the hugely successful Sportsbet Future Stars Series will return in partnership with Sportsbet and Racing Victoria.
“We’re excited to again host the series and the 2024 version will take on even greater significance as we build momentum towards the historic 2024 Sportsbet Pakenham Cup, set to illuminate the track under lights for the very first time in its rich history," Ogders said.
“We look forward to sharing the excitement and creating memorable moments on course for all involved."
Sportsbet's Tania Abbotto said customer engagement metrics were through the roof for the inaugural series in 2023.
"We applaud Racing Victoria for running the marquee series during the January, February period – it is the perfect lead-in to the autumn racing carnival here in Victoria," she said.
