Good for him, hope it wins.

The race is hardly inspiring though.  That makes 2 non group 1 winners out of 4 so far.

What a race!!!! Will become the best race in AUS!

Slammington wrote: English is now a lock - has been given the TAB slot. I think Carravagio's appearance will depend on a win or near win in the July Cup on Saturday week. If he is down the track they may pull the pin on the trip. Not sure who Coolmore would use their slot on if he doesn't come though.

A chestnut horse by Thorn Park maybe, ...just thinking aloud.

I guess some of it might relate to the negotations on the share of any winnings Furious

Isn't Houtzen also now locked in and thought Caravaggio was still to be confirmed. If you read the TAB release the owners of English also have business interest in PubTAB and part of the deal will be to involve a competition to invite 10 winners in to share as effectively part owners for a day. If you look at how horses are selected you need to look at who owns the slots and their respective business interests as well.

Listening to a RNSW/ATC (???) spokesman in recent days it appears they're expecting at least 2 competitive OS horses Tlaz. Obviously one is Caravaggio. Passing mention of interest from Japan and USA.

Seems obvious the race is for the elite. $1.2M for two years isn't pin money. The race might be a plaything for the wealthy but I doubt any of them will be happy to kiss $600K goodbye by selecting a horse with little chance. Don't see anything wrong in the buyer picking a horse which suits their business simply because that's the basis of the race. Who would invest without that control?  I suspect that having the option of picking a competitive OS horse is one of the prime reasons the ATC stumped up.

Buy in is actually $1.8M for three years. 

Great concept and looking forward to the race

I admit I'm interested as two horses I've been following from the sales have made the field.  I was afraid it would be a rich mans play field but that's because I didn't understand the concept.  She Will Reign and Houtzen are both neither owned by the big players or in the biggest stables so that proved me wrong to begin with.  If the best field of sprinters available line up I be satisfied that the concept can work but there are a few very good horses still trying to find a way in.  Will be interesting how long some of the slot owners hold out before choosing their representative.  It's almost a game of chicken - could backfire if the horse you have your eye on gets in with another slot before you tie them in.

3blindmice wrote: Buy in is actually $1.8M for three years.  Hadn't seen the full list of slot holders until now but this is from SMH 29/3: Damion Flower, James Harron, Max Whitby, Greg Ingham , Yulong Investments, Aquis, Chris Waller Racing, Coolmore Stud, The Star, TAB, Inglis, ATC. Aquis Farms               - Houtzen ATC                           -   Chris Waller Racing     -   Coolmore                   - Caravaggio (TBC) Damion Flower           -   Greg Ingham              - Chautauqua Inglis                         - Fell Swoop James Harron             -   Max Whitby                -   Tabcorp                      - English The Star                     - Hayes stable. Redkirk Warrior early preference Yulong Investments     - She Will Rein

3blindmice wrote: 3blindmice wrote: Buy in is actually $1.8M for three years.  Hadn't seen the full list of slot holders until now but this is from SMH 29/3: Damion Flower, James Harron, Max Whitby, Greg Ingham , Yulong Investments, Aquis, Chris Waller Racing, Coolmore Stud, The Star, TAB, Inglis, ATC. Aquis Farms               - Houtzen ATC                           -   Chris Waller Racing     -   Coolmore                   - Caravaggio (TBC) Damion Flower           -   Greg Ingham              - Chautauqua Inglis                         - Fell Swoop James Harron             -   Max Whitby                -   Tabcorp                      - English The Star                     - Hayes stable. Redkirk Warrior early preference Yulong Investments     - She Will Rein

I gather there will be reserves. How many, and how late a sub can be made (possibly scratching time?) are questions for others closer to the action to answer.

3blindmice wrote: I gather there will be reserves. How many, and how late a sub can be made (possibly scratching time?) are questions for others closer to the action to answer.

Brando stars as Caravaggio flops at Deauville

https://www.racenet.com.au/news/136336/Brando-stars-as-Caravaggio-flops-at-Deauville