Racing Victoria has announced a raft of $1 million bonuses to further enhance the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival.

Tuesday’s announcement came on top of more than $26 million in prize money increases earlier in May that cover metropolitan and country races along with spring feature races.

Five races across the Spring Carnival now have $1 million bonuses attached to them providing connections with an added incentive to keep their horses racing in Victoria during the spring.

A $1 million bonus on top of the $5 million prize money is on offer for the Cox Plate if the winner is successful in one of six lead-up races earlier in the spring.

There will also be a bonus of offer for the Victoria Derby if the winner lands the prize after winning one of three designated races in the lead up.

The Empire Rose bonus, which was on offer last year, goes to the winner if they had won one of 12 races in the lead up to the Group 1 mile race for fillies and mares on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington.

For a horse that completes the Manikato Stakes – VRC Champions Sprint or competes in the Manikato having earlier won either the McEwen Stakes, Moir Stakes, Gilgai Stakes and Schillaci Stakes and win the Champions Sprint at Flemington, an additional $1 million will go to connections.

The final bonus on offer is for the VRC Champions Mile if a horse completes the double following earlier wins in either the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, the Toorak Handicap or the Crystal Mile.

RV Executive General Manager – Racing, Greg Carpenter, said the bonuses would reward owners and trainers who support the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival.

“We want to continue to compile the best fields possible for our racing showpiece and to deliver storylines throughout the carnival that excite and captivate,” Carpenter said.

“With five $1 million bonuses up for grabs, there is a great spread of opportunity for both emerging talent and established stars to create their own headlines this spring.”