35 nominations seek their chance at glory in the 2022 Haymes Paint Jericho Cup
Excitement is continuing to build for the Haymes Paint Jericho Cup with 35 nominations, including 2020 Jericho Cup winner Count, Zero hoping to find their way into the final field and ultimately claim the 2022 edition of Australia’s longest and most unique flat race.
It will be all systems go come Sunday, 27 November at Warrnambool, with the $304,000 race to be staged on the flat across the course proper and through the picturesque Brierly Paddock over 4600 metres.
The Jericho Cup commemorates Australia and New Zealand’s light horse involvement in World War 1 in the Middle East and the fifth edition in 2022 is scheduled 104 years after it was first run on the desert sands of Palestine, just outside the city of Jericho.
Open only to Australian and New Zealand-bred horses, entry to The Jericho Cup is secured via designated ‘guaranteed start’ races or via points accrued in staying races throughout the previous year.
The Kiwis are guaranteed at least two runners in this year’s Jericho Cup, with seven-year-old gelding Botti – trained by Kevin Meyers – winning the automatic qualifier at Riccarton Park (NZ) on 22 October and Quota – previously trained by Shaune Ritchie & Colm Murray and now under the guidance of Patrick Payne - winning at New Plymouth (NZ) on 17 September.
The race is also likely to feature interstate representation, with Queensland galloper Grand Shanghai earning his place in the race for Eagle Farm trainer Lindsay Gough via the Jericho Cup QLD Qualifier (3200m) at the Gold Coast on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day. The John Sargent trained Bastida will be representing New South Wales after a dominant win in the final qualifying race in Canberra on 13 November.
The locals will be cheering on The Rattlin’ Bog, trained by Warrnambool trainer Aaron Purcell, who is another guaranteed a start after his win in the Road to the Jericho SA Qualifier (3340m) at Gawler on 21 October.
Count Zero (Symon Wilde), Swan Hill based Savvy Acquisition (Austy Coffey), Royal Crown (Michael Kent), Epizeel (Declan Maher), and Alienated (Cliff Murray) have all won Jericho Cup qualifiers, the latter at The Valley on 11 November, and will take their place in the race should they accept.
A points based system for the Jericho Cup commenced on 17 December 2021, with the first three Australasian-bred horse to finish in any Australian and New Zealand 3000-metre flat race receiving three, two or one points depending on their finishing order.
11 horses nominated have earned points since December including the New Zealand trained Border Leicester (Emma-Lee and David Browne), who has managed to accrue six points which will guarantee him a start should the husband and wife team accept.
2015 Melbourne Cup winning jockey come trainer Michelle Payne and her eight-year-old Jukila sits 13th in the order of entry after securing five points, with the gelding heading into the race in strong form after coming off two last start wins.
Other notable points earners who have chosen to nominate include Azzureous, trained by premier jumps jockey Steven Pateman (4 points), Bruno Stars (3 points), Will To Excel (2 points), Frankenstar (2 points), There For You (2 points), Magicain (2 points) and Star Stock (1 point).
Racing Victoria (RV) Executive General Manager Racing, Matt Welsh, said: “The Haymes Paint Jericho Cup keeps building each year and to have 35 nominations come through is an outstanding response and one that will see us assemble a terrific field for this truly unique race.”
Final acceptances for the Jericho Cup will be taken at 12 noon (AEST) on Tuesday, 22 November by RV with a field of 14 starters and four emergencies to be declared for the Jericho Cup.
A $40,000 Jericho Cup Consolation will be conducted over 4065m should a field of at least 10 starters be assembled. To be eligible for the consolation horses must accept for the Jericho Cup.
A $25,000 bonus is also up for grabs for the trainer with the smallest stable (includes active and spelling horses) who can saddle up a winner on the raceday at Warrnambool which will feature either eight or nine races depending on whether the consolation proceeds.
In an interesting sidenote, Australian cricketing legend Dennis Lillee will be presenting the trophies to the winning owners of The Charge at Beersheba and the Haymes Paint Jericho Cup trackside on 27 November. Each year the race honours a different light horseman who fought in WW1 and this year we remember Albert ‘Tibby’ Cotter who, like Dennis, was an Australian fast bowler.
Photo credits: Racing.com
