Hyderabad: The stage is set for the 28-day Hyderabad Monsoon races, scheduled to commence at the Malakpet Race Course here from tomorrow.

A notable of feature of the ensuing season is the hike in the stake money to the horse owners to Rs 14.55 crore against Rs 11.97 crore last year, besides trophies worth Rs 30.87 lakhs will also be given away during the season.

Addressing the customary season-eve press conference last night, Hyderabad Race Club (HRC) chairman R Surender Reddy said the stakes would go further with the division of races.

The stakes offered were apart from other subsidies, Reddy said adding that the stakes-horse ratio offered at HRC was the highest in the country (Rs 2.71 lakh per horse), he said.

The season is expected to witness keen competition with 23 "A" licensed Hyderabad-based trainers, 34 "A" licensed jockeys and apprentice jockeys and 10 "B" licensed jockeys vying for the honours.

Besides, leading trainers and jockeys from other racing centres, including Mumbai and Bengaluru, will be taking part in the plum and classic races. .