With anticipation building for December’s revival of the century-old horse race, the Jericho Cup, Racing Victoria (RV) has today announced that entries for the unique event will close early on Tuesday, 20 November 2018 at 12 noon.

The race, which will be conducted at Warrnambool Racecourse on Sunday, 2 December 2018, commemorates Australia and New Zealand’s involvement in World War I and is scheduled 100 years after it was first run on the desert sands of Palestine, just outside the city of Jericho.

To be staged on the flat across the Warrnambool course proper and picturesque Brierly Paddock, the Jericho Cup will be run over 4600 metres – as close as possible to the original distance of 4800m while still utilising the Grand Annual circuit.

The Benchmark 90 race carries prizemoney of $300,000 and is the brainchild of Victorian philanthropist and businessman Bill Gibbins who is supporting the entire programme through the Warrnambool Racing Club (WRC) with Australian company Haymes Paint to sponsor the main race.

In keeping with the tradition of the original Jericho Cup, eligible horses must have been conceived and born in Australia or New Zealand in order to compete.

Weights will be released by RV on Wednesday, 21 November 2018 with final acceptances to be taken at 12 noon (AET) on Tuesday, 27 November 2018 and the field released that afternoon.

A field of 12 starters and four emergencies will be declared, with RV announcing that a $40,000 Jericho Cup consolation over 4065 metres will be added to the Warrnambool meeting should a field of at least ten starters be assembled.

This race, should it eventuate, will be the first double points/guaranteed start for the 2019 Jericho Cup.

Following consultation with the Victorian Jockeys Association (VJA), RV has also advised that the Jericho Cup and consolation will be restricted to licensed highweight riders with the main race to travel through Brierly Paddock which traditionally plays host to jumping races.

To assist the riders in their preparation for the Jericho Cup, RV has continued to program highweight races in October and November on the following programs – Kilmore (Monday, 8 October), Stawell (Monday, 22 October), Kilmore (Monday, 12 November) and Mornington (Monday, 19 November).

A special qualifying process for the Jericho Cup commenced in January 2017 with the first three Australasian-bred horses across the line in any 3000 metre or further TAB flat race earning three points (first home), two (second home) or one (third home).

A number of races also offered double points with the first Australasian-bred home in each of these designated races gaining a ballot exemption in the Jericho Cup should they nominate and accept.

The four horses to have secured ballot exemptions thus far are the since retired Dane Hussler (David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig); Western Australia Cup winner Dark Musket (Graeme Ballantyne); Anton en Avant (Stephen Lee), who ran second in the Queensland Cup; and High Mode (Anthony Freedman).

Eight races remain where horses can earn points for the Jericho Cup. They are:

• 22 October Stawell BM58 Highweight 3600m
• 3 November  Morphettville  BM82 2500m*
• 6 November  Echuca BM64 3200m
• 6 November  Flemington Melbourne Cup 3200m
• 6 November  Hobart Open 3200m**
• 16 November Moonee Valley BM70 3000m**
• 17 November Sandown  Sandown Cup 3200m
• 19 November Grafton  BM66 3120m

(* Exempt from condition requiring a minimum distance of 3000m)
(** Double points and ballot exemption on offer)

RV Executive General Manager – Racing and Participant Wellbeing, Greg Carpenter, said, “We’re delighted to join with the Warrnambool Racing Club and Bill Gibbins in celebrating the centenary of the Jericho Cup, a defining moment in the history of Australia, and delivering this unique staying contest with a rich $300,000 prize pool.

“The contenders for the Jericho Cup are taking shape and with a number of qualifying races still to come there’s plenty of opportunities for Australasian-bred stayers to secure the points to push their way up the order of entry before nominations close on 20 November.”

Managing Director and Founder of the Jericho Cup, Bill Gibbins, said, “We have been working on this project of reviving the Jericho Cup for a long time and it is incredibly exciting that we are now only two months away from the raceday. I look forward to seeing which horses nominate as we edge closer to what will be an extraordinary day at Warrnambool on Sunday, 2 December.”

To view the current points tally for The Jericho Cup click here.

ENDS

Note: Horses with no points can still enter and run, however they will be ranked behind horses with only one point. They will then be included in order of their Benchmark rating.

Media Contact: Hannah Greasley – Racing Victoria Media and Corporate Affairs Executive
M: 0425 741 331 E: h.greasley@racingvictoria.net.au