Country-trained horses will have the chance to race on the biggest day of racing in Australia following the creation of a new $1.3 million race – The Kosciuszko.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The world’s richest Country race, The Kosciuszko will be run over 1200m at set weights and penalties on Everest Day at Royal Randwick and will be restricted to horses trained in Country NSW.
Punters are also set to be big winners. Through a joint venture promotion between the Australian Hotels Association (AHA), Tabcorp (TAB) and Racing NSW, for $5 they can potentially “own” a share of a Kosciuszko runner.
Tickets in the Kosciuszko promotion go on sale on Thursday (July 19) with the draw to be held on September 14.
There will be 12 winning tickets drawn. Each winning ticket holder will then have an entry in The Kosciuszko and can select a NSW Country-trained horse to race in their entry, subject to agreeing with the horse’s owners as to how they will share the prizemoney for the race.
The Mel O’Gorman-trained Suncraze is one of the horses that has been mentioned and was at $15 in the betting on Wednesday.
“The race is a great way to showcase NSW country-trained horses, giving them the chance to compete at one of Australia’s biggest days of racing,” Minister for Racing Paul Toole said.
Racing NSW Chairman Russell Balding AO added: “This is an exciting new concept involving the public which will further stimulate racing in Country NSW”.
Lion Beer Australia will be sponsoring The Kosciuszko race in association with its Kosciuszko beer brand.
Racing NSW will also be contributing $125,000 from the sale of tickets to the Aussie Helpers charity to support NSW farmers.
