The popular race meeting was formerly run in the middle of December but due to other meetings including the Jericho, Woodford and Koroit cups run at Warrnambool during that period it's been decided to move Port Fairy's date back to January 25.

Warrnambool Racing Club chief executive Tom O'Connor said moving the meeting back six weeks should allow it to gain more popularity and grow.

"There were just too many meetings at that peak time of the year," O'Connor said.

"The Jericho Cup has grown in stature at the end of November and it was having an impact on Port Fairy's race date. We have Woodford running on New Years Eve and Koroit is set down for January 10.

"We've also had to take into account Penshurst race on Boxing Day while Terang run on New Years Day. It's a real feast of racing during that time of the year.

"Port Fairy's new date is the day before the Australian Day public holiday which should allow patrons to come and enjoy the day. We've had discussions with business operators in Port Fairy and they have been full of support for the change in dates."

Prizemoney for the Koroit and Port Fairy cups has been reduced to $35,000 down from $45,000 while stakemoney for the Woodford Cup remains at $50,000.

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