October
NovemberUp the ante
Last year’s Group 2 Waterford Crystal Mile, run on the same day as the Cox Plate, was won by Testa My Patience carrying 53.5kg on a 52kg limit. In other words, it was a handicap and the total prizemoney for the race was $202,500.
This year the race was called the Schweppes Crystal Mile with the total prizemoney increased to $220,000. It was no longer a handicap but a weight-for-age event. In last year’s version there were 12 runners but this year only seven runners fronted, thus denying the betting public the usual three chances for a place dividend.
If the MVRC wish to elevate this race status wise, having changed the conditions from handicap to weight-for-age, it must up the monetary ante and make this race a really viable option to the genuine 1600m horses unable to run a strong 2040m.
There is little doubt the connections of Sincero, Happy Trails and Linton may have reconsidered their chase of the Holy Grail if the Crystal Mile was worth several hundred thousand dollars more.
I can envisage a future scenario where the race could become a really mouth-watering entree to the big one, which itself would become a better race — if that is possible — as the field would become a fraction less cluttered with horses better suited at 1600m.
As the prizemoney stands at this moment, who would blame the connections of those mentioned having a go at even fifth position in the Cox Plate, which was worth $110,000 with a certain amount of prestige attached, as compared to $132,000 for first in the Crystal Mile.
Well, MVRC, it’s worth a thought, isn’t it!
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