WARRNAMBOOL Racing Club has received an overwhelming response from owners, trainers and the general public for the running of the inaugural Jericho Cup over 4600 metres on Sunday, according to chief executive Peter Downs.
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Twenty-four horses accepted for the 12-runner, $300,000 flat race through the paddocks when acceptances closed at noon on Tuesday. That forced Racing Victoria to add a $40,000 consolation race over 4065 metres to the nine-race program.
Downs said the club was amazed how many people have got behind the event.
“It looks like being a huge day for the club,” he said.
“We’re looking at more than 4500 people to be on-course. It’s a wonderful effort to have 24 final acceptors for the first running of the Jericho Cup.
“The race can only have 12 starters and four emergencies, the four emergencies automatically go into the consultation race which means the consultation race should have a field of 12 runners.”
The Jericho Cup is a high-weight race for jumps jockeys.
It will recreate a race held by Australian mounted troops in Palestine during World War I.
Australian philanthropist Bill Gibbins sought an opportunity to honour the courage and spirit of our mounted troops for the centenary anniversary and that’s how the idea for the race was created.
Victoria’s leading trainer Darren Weir accepted with Truly High and Penthouse Player while group one-winning Flemington trainer Anthony Freedman, a brother of champion trainer Lee, saddles up High Mode.
This year’s Grand Annual Steeplechase winner Gold Medals and stablemate Doc Holliday are Symon Wilde’s runners in the race.
The Jericho Cup is scheduled to start at 4.50pm.