PRIZE money for the Grade 1 Daily News 2000, to be run at Greyville on 31 May 2014, has been increased from R1,5m to R2,0m, thereby elevating its status to joint richest race for three year olds in South Africa.

“The Daily News has evolved into one of the great Classic races in South Africa and can no longer just be viewed as a stepping stone to the Vodacom Durban July,” commented Racing and Marketing Executive Graeme Hawkins.

Vercingetorix (far side), won the 2013 Daily News by a nose.

“Last year’s race, won by the undefeated Vercingetorix, who scored impressively on his recent debut in Dubai, produced a thrilling finish with less than half a length covering the first four runners past the post and I would anticipate a similarly competitive outcome to the 2014 renewal,” added Hawkins.

Prize money for The Woolavington Stakes (Gr 1) for three year old fillies over 2000m, the ever popular Rising Sun Gold Challenge (Gr 1) over 1600m at Clairwood on Saturday 7 June and the Champions Cup (Gr 1) over 1800m at Greyville on Super Saturday at the end of July has been increased from R750 000 to R1-million.

In addition, the stake for the 2200m Grade 3 Campanajo has been increased to R500 000 in recognition of the fact that the field for the 2014 Vodacom Durban July will be restricted to 16 runners. The Gold Vase, also contested on the first Saturday of July, has had its stake increased from R400 000 to R500 000.