Qualifying
QUALIFYING FOR THE 2021 CUP
We have gone back to the original cut off time of Sunday, 14 days before the cup. This will be Sunday 14th November 2021.
The only requirement is to race Australasian Bred Stayers in Australia and New Zealand and watch your points build up. Shuttle Stallions qualify, but the horse must have been conceived and born in Australia or New Zealand. It’s called supporting the local industry.
EXEMPTIONS TO THE FLAT RACES ONLY RULE ARE:
1. The Grand Annual Steeple 5,500m at Warrnambool (May).
2. The Great Eastern Steeple 4,950m at Oakbank (Easter).
3. New Zealand Grand National Hurdle 4,200m at Riccarton (August).
GUARANTEED START RACES 2021
The first Australasian bred horse over the line in the Guaranteed Start races will automatically gain entry to the 2021 Jericho Cup of $304,000 run over 4,600m at Warrnambool (should they nominate and accept). The second and third Australasian bred horses over the line in these races will earn double points of 4 and 2 respectively.
The Guaranteed Start races for the 2021 Jericho Cup are listed below, with some races still to be confirmed * TBC.
Australia
29 November Warrnambool ~ VIC 4,065m BM68 (2020 Jericho Cup Consolation race)
26 March Warrnambool ~ VIC 3,300m BM70
26 April Albany ~ WA 3,100m Handicap
8th August Wagga Wagga ~ NSW 3,800m BM 74
26th September Mt Gambier ~ SA 3,150m BM 75
22nd October Gawler ~ SA 3,340m BM75
2nd November Gold Coast ~ QLD 3,200m BM70
12th November Moonee Valley ~ VIC 3,800m BM78 * TBC
14th November Canberra ~ ACT 3,400m BM85
New Zealand
11th September New Plymouth 3,210m BM82
23rd October Riccarton Park 3,000m BM 82 * TBC
Anticipated closing time for nominations for the 2021 Jericho Cup will be Tuesday 16th November 2021. Final acceptances will follow 7 days later on 23rd November 2021, when the consolation field (if necessary) will be determined.
THE POINTS SYSTEM
This will be the 4th running of the race on Sunday 28th November. It follows the Grand Annual course through the paddocks ( less the jumps ). The race is run annually on the fourth Sunday after the Melbourne Cup to honour the achievements of the Australian Light Horse in the Middle East in World War 1.
Commencing 18th November 2020, the first three Australasian Bred horses over the line in any 3,000m or further flat race at TAB meeting across Australia and New Zealand (from a maiden to a Group 1 race) will earn 3-2-1 points. Non-TAB meetings are excluded, but all other races, no matter what class/age/sex restriction applies, will be treated equally.
In addition the first Australasian bred horse over the line in selected Guaranteed Start (GS) races automatically gains entry to the 2021 Jericho Cup, the minor ‘’placegetters” will get double points, that is 4 and 2 respectively. For more details and list of GS races please read the Guaranteed Start Races 2021 section on this page.
The final field for the Jericho Cup 2021 will be determined according to total points accrued, after allowing for any guaranteed starters. It is feasible that a horse could get in with no points (as long as it passes the breeding requirement). But any horse with just one point will get in ahead of those without any.
THE FINAL DATE TO EARN POINTS WILL BE 14 DAYS BEFORE THE RUNNING OF THE JERICHO CUP. IN 2021, THIS WILL BE SUNDAY 14TH NOVEMBER.
ANTICIPATED CLOSING TIME FOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2021 JERICHO CUP WILL BE TUESDAY 16TH NOVEMBER 2021. FINAL ACCEPTANCES WILL FOLLOW 7 DAYS LATER ON 23RD NOVEMBER 2021, WHEN THE CONSOLATION FIELD (IF NECESSARY) WILL BE DETERMINED.
The Jericho Cup obviously favours the up and coming horses against those that have already got there. But it will be possible for any class horse to win it.
To check the progressive points total please go to the Points page.
Should there be sufficient acceptances for the 2021 Jericho Cup, Racing Victoria will program an additional consolation race over 4,065m on the course proper for those who do not gain a run in the main event. The prize money is less, but the sweetener is that this race (should it be held) will be a first guaranteed start/double points race for the 2022 Jericho Cup.
The consolation race has gone ahead each year since inception of 2018 and hopefully will do the same this year. The Consolation has been worth $40,000 plus a $20,000 Vobis Gold bonus in its first two running’s. In 2021 this has been boosted to $60,000 plus the bonus to encourage as many acceptors as possible.
Please note that the order of preference for both races will be the number of Jericho Cup points earned throughout the year up until the close of date of 14th of November 2021. Horses on the same points level will be graded according to their benchmark rating and lastly horses on same benchmark rating will be determined by prize money won. Horses with nil points can still get a run in either race, provided there are not sufficient points earners accepting. All conditions for the consolation race will be identical to The Jericho Cup i.e. highweight and jumps jockeys.
Each support race on the day honours various men, horses and events associated with the victorious Australian Lighthorse Middle Eastern Campaign in the first world War. Unique trophies relevant to these people/horses/events have been hand crafted for the winning connections of each race. They are worth the effort to be on course on the day just to see them.
Once again there will be a special “ smallest winning trainers” bonus of $25,000 on the day. Once acceptances have been taken for the entire card, Racing Victoria prepare a list of the stable size of each trainer with runners on the day. It is then left to a countdown on the day as to who can possibly win it as results unfold. Last year’s bonus was all over after race 7 when A Good Yarn duly saluted, handled by veteran local trainer Mervyn McKenzie with the princely total of two horses in his care.
FINALLY A BIG REMINDER – WHILST THE FIRST TWO JERICHO CUPS WERE RUN IN DECEMBER , 2020 WAS RUN IN NOVEMBER AND AS WILL 2021 AND 2022!
The Jericho Cup falls annually on the 4th Sunday after the Melbourne Cup.
IF YOU HAVE questions ON THE ABOVE,
PLEASE CALL BILL GIBBINS ON 0413 442 988
Racing Photos Credit: Racing.com