THREE Victorian trained horses will try and secure a start in the $300,000 Jericho Cup at Warrnambool on December 1, when they run in a heat of the series over 3340 metres at Gawler on Friday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Warrnambool trainer Matthew Williams saddles up Plymouth Road, Amy McDonald accepted with Californiagrandcru and the powerful Maher-Eustace stable has Ablaze running in Friday's $25,000 benchmark 75, which guarantees the winner an automatic start in the 4600-metre final.
Last year's inaugural Jericho Cup had 12 runners but passionate racing fan and philanthropist Bill Gibbins, who founded the race, said an expanded field will face the starter this year.
"We've increased the field size to 14," Gibbins said. "That's a great result. The winner at Gawler is guaranteed a start.
"We have two other races - one at Moonee Valley on November 15 and at Canberra on November 17, which guarantee the winner a start.
"There are various points races at race meetings over the next few weeks including Echuca, Randwick and Ararat to give horses a chance to get points for the final."
READ MORE:
The concept commemorates a magnificent story relating to the ANZACs nearing the end of the first world war.
The Australian Light Horse were planning a major offensive against the Turkish enemy. As a diversion, a race meeting was organized for the eve of the assault.
The feature on this makeshift meeting was the Jericho Cup, which was won by the literal warhorse Bill The Bastard.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.
