Dr Nipandtuck and Tough Future are both genuine contenders to win a $50,000 bonus in the $202,000 TROA/LUXBET Winter Championship Series Final (LR) at Flemington on Saturday 9 July. Should either Dr Nipandtuck or Tough Future be victorious they will be eligible for the $50,000 bonus.

The Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners’ Association (TROA) and its major partner, Luxbet.com, joined forces to take the Winter Championship series to a new level, securing a three year sponsorship of the series commencing in 2011

TROA is delighted to be sponsoring this series in conjunction with our major partner, Luxbet, and to add value for owners through a $50,000 bonus. The VRC has done a wonderful job with this series since its inception, and we are proud to be supporting it.

All horses participating in the 2011 TROA/LUXBET Winter Championship Series Heats were awarded points according to judge’s placings. The leading or equal leading points scorer is eligible for the $50,000 bonus by winning the $202,000 TROA/LUXBET Winter Championship Series Final (LR) on Saturday.

VRC General Manager Sponsorship, Brendan Ford, said: “The Club is very pleased to welcome TROA and Luxbet as sponsor partners to this popular race series that has stood the test of time. The new bonus for the series’ highest point scorer will continue to give it even more impetus.”

VRC General Manager Racing, James Earls, said: “The TROA/LUXBET Winter Championship will again be a racing highlight of the Victorian winter. The Final of the Series is a quality race year by year, proven by recent winners such as Gold Salute and Sea Battle, which were later placed in the Group 1 Emirates Stakes at Flemington, and last year’s winner Doubtful Jack, which saluted in the Group 3 Bobbie Lewis Quality at his next start.”

At the conclusion of the seven heat series, the joint leaders on 18 points are Dr Nipandtuck and Tough Future, with current fixed odds of $13 and $18 respectively.

Dr Nipandtuck trained by James Fraser was impressive in winning the sixth heat at Flemington two weeks ago. “The horse has been targeted for the Winter Championship series and I am very happy with him coming into the final, a bit of rain will help his chances,” said Fraser.

Tough Future’s trainer Mark Riley is also hoping for rain “Tough Future is going well, I hope it keeps raining, if so we expect him to be very competitive”.

If either horse can win the final outright, connections are entitled to the entire $50,000 bonus (which is allocated 85% to owners, 10% to the trainer, and 5% to the jockey). In the case of a dead heat for first – the bonus will be split between the two horses.

Connections of the leading points scorer, who earns the most points in the final, will also be rewarded with a fantastic prize - a catered corporate suite for 24 people, on Girls’ Day Out at Flemington on 3 September 2011, courtesy of the Victoria Racing Club.

The TROA Board would like to extend both sets of connections the best of luck in Saturday’s $202,000 final.

View Final Winter Championship Series Points Tally and further information on the TROA/Luxbet Winter Championship Series