A guide to Randwick’s $1.3m Kosciuszko

The Kosciuszko will run as race five at 2.50pm (AEDT) at Randwick on Saturday.

THE KOSCIUSZKO

1200m, $1,300,000, three-year-olds, set-weights plus penalties

CONCEPT

* Modelled in part on the $14 million Everest but for country-trained horses

* Fourteen runners picked by winners who bought $5 tickets

* Slot holders negotiate with owners on prize money split

HISTORY

* First run in 2018 when won by $71 long-shot Belflyer on a heavy track

PRIZE MONEY BREAKDOWN

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* Winner collects $685,000, runner-up $260,000 and $130,000 for third

TALKING POINTS

* Grafton trainer John Shelton has two runners with defending champion Belflyer ($26) and in-form stablemate Tarbert ($41)

* Victorem ($2.50) is the clear favourite for Port Macquarie trainer Jenny Graham, who also has Awesome Pluck ($13)

* Noble Boy ($4.80), Notation ($8.50) and Handle The Truth ($8.50) are the three other runners rated single-digit chances

WHAT THE KEY PLAYERS ARE SAYING

“It’s a very tough race. I’m really happy with the way the horses have been prepared. If they perform well on the day, they won’t be far away” – Shelton on Belflyer and Tarbert

“He’s come through both his trials really well. I feel from (barrier four) Hugh Bowman will be able to ride the horse wherever he finds comfortable” – Noble Boy’s Queanbeyan trainer Todd Blowes

“He generally goes well second-up. We’re going second-up into this and I think he’ll race well” – Handle The Truth’s trainer Keith Dryden told the Canberra Times

“He’s (Victorem) a horse that runs well fresh. With both trials and the trip I’m happy with him going forward. I wouldn’t underestimate the other horse (Awesome Pluck). I feel he’s matured a lot and that campaign in Brisbane has really brought him on” – trainer Jenny Graham told the Sydney Morning Herald on her two hopes