Melbourne Racing Club Now An Everest Slot Holder
The Australian Turf Club has sold its (ATC's own slot) Everest slot to the Melbourne Racing Club, which then revealed that this year's Schillaci Stakes winner will claim the slot.
Racing NSW and the ATC confirmed on Tuesday that the A$14 million Everest would have two new slot-holders with Godolphin having secured the slot forfeited by Damion Flower's Jadeskye Racing and Melbourne Racing Club.
Both parties secured their slot via a strictly managed tendering process.
Originally MRC bid for the Jadesky Racing slot. However, after Godolphin secured the slot their Racing NSW decided to explore other opportunities with MRC.
CEO Peter V'landys said: "Ultimately, the slot available through the tender process has been granted to Godolphin.
"Godolphin is the world's largest and most successful owner of thoroughbred horses and its support and promotion of thoroughbred racing in Australia and internationally is unrivalled.
"The (Racing NSW) Board was very impressed with Godolphin's proposal and the benefits it will bring to both The Everest and Australian racing.
"Further, as the tender by the Melbourne Racing Club was so strong, we, and our partners the Australian Turf Club, wanted to explore every option for it to be part of The Everest in 2019."
The MRC quickly announced The Everest now has its first 'win-and-you're-in' race, with the slot to go to the winner of the club's Group 2 Schillaci Stakes - which is run just seven days before The Everest on the Caulfield Guineas program on October 12.
"We believe that forging a partnership of this kind with the Australian Turf Club around the Everest and the Stella Artois Caulfield Cup Carnival will generate significant interest and value for Australian racing as a whole," said MRC chief executive Josh Blanksby.
The MRC will hold three qualifying races for the Schillaci, starting with the Regal Roller Stakes on August 17, followed by The Heath on August 31 and the final lead-up race the Testa Rossa Stakes on September 29.
Blanksby said the partnering with the ATC in the Everest slot was a step towards more collaboration between the country's leading racing states.
"This concept breaks down barriers by fostering collaboration, embracing two great racing carnivals to benefit the entire industry, our members, participants, fans and punters," he said.
"The Stella Artois Caulfield Cup Carnival is one of the greatest carnivals in world racing and this new partnership gives a unique angle for 2019 which will make it the most exciting edition yet."