HRNSW Brings Back Million Dollar Bonus for Season 3 of Carnival of Cups

9 September 2025

A one-million-dollar bonus will again be up for grabs when the Harness Racing New South Wales TAB Carnival of Cups series returns to tracks across the state in November.

The seven-figure-sum will be awarded to the owners of any horse that can win the feature race at each of the five TAB Carnival of Cups race meetings.

The bonus scheme was announced today in conjunction with a fun video campaign that saw leading drivers Robbie Morris and Josh Gallagher, as well as Robbie’s son Archie, transformed into characters of the movie Austin Powers to re-create its iconic “one-million-dollars” scene. (You can view it HERE)

Once again, the bonus will also be on offer if a horse can win three or four of the features, with $500,000 the reward for any horse that can win four of the five features. It will again be $250,000 for winning three of the feature races and balloons to a million for winning all five.

Earlier this year, star pacer Swayzee earned $500,000 for his connections after winning four of the five feature races during Season 2 of the Carnival of Cups series.

HRNSW Chief Executive Peter Buckman said bringing back the lucrative bonus incentive was a priority following the success of the promotion during Season 2.

“It certainly had the entire industry across the country talking about it and paying attention to those race meetings and even with half a million up for grabs on the last night in Penrith there was an incredible sense of theatre to the occasion as he chased the cash,” Mr Buckman said.

“With the bonus starting at three race wins it means there is always a considerable prizemoney incentive on the line and it definitely amplifies the profile of those feature races in front of the biggest crowds our industry has ever seen at regional tracks.

“It also means there is an opportunity for racing fans to see some of the elite pacers and drivers in our sport with really high-quality horses heading to the regions for those feature races, so it is a really positive campaign that we were keen to bring back for Season 3.

“I know there are a lot of owners and trainers who already have their eye on the Carnival of Cups series and I was getting asked about it quite often over the weekend at the TAB Eureka, so I am delighted to be able to confirm its return.”

Season 3 of the Carnival of Cups starts in Wagga on 14 November before heading to Newcastle on 5 December. It returns in the new year at Bathurst on 30 January, followed by Albury on 13 February and Penrith on 20 March.

This season the Carnival of Cups program will also include the finals of the lucrative TAB Regional Championships series.

Some of the biggest bands and performers in Australia will provide trackside entertainment at each event. Ian Moss, The Superjesus and 1927 will headline the Carnival of Cups at Wagga’s Riverina Paceway in November.

The Carnival of Cups is an all ages, free but ticketed event. To secure your ticket and keep up to date with the latest news and ticket release times, head to www.carnivalofcups.com.au

The Carnival of Cups bonus prizemoney conditions are available HERE

The TAB Regional Championships conditions are available HERE