Spot in Magic Millions up for grabs as $750k King of the Mountain conditions revealed

The conditions for the inaugural running of the $750,000 King of the Mountain at Clifford Park have been released, with a $1m incentive for the winner of the New Year’s Eve feature.

RACING: Toowoomba’s richest horse race is starting to take further shape, with the latest details on the event released.

The $750,000 King of the Mountain will have its inaugural running on New Year’s Eve at Clifford Park, with a stellar field set to be assembled.

The Toowoomba Turf Club confirmed the conditions of the feature, to be run at set weights and penalties over 1200m to close out 2021.

TTC chairman Kent Woodford said there is a buzz around the racing industry for those looking to get involved within the race.

“There were certainly some packs given out to prospective slot holders and people paid their registration fee,” Woodford said.

“Interest in the race has been amazing both from those wanting to be slot holders and sponsors of the event.”

The conditions opens up the race to some of Queensland’s best talent, with entries needing to be bred and trained in the Sunshine State.

Woodford said there were a number of locals and high profile sprinters that fit the criteria.

“Some local horses that you’d consider would be Kisukano or Simply Fly. If you look to Brisbane, you might be able to attract Isotope or Rothfire.

“It’s still early days on what a horse’s program could look like, but they fit the criteria of what you need to be.”

In an added coup for prospective horses, a trip to the Gold Coast will be on offer for the winner.

A wildcard spot will be up for grabs in the $1m Magic Millions QTIS race to be held at AQUIS Park in mid January.

“It will certainly fit into the program (of summer racing), and is a wildcard into the Magic Millions race,” he said.

“The wildcard is a big coup and full credit to Paul Reedy for pulling all this together.”

A total of 12 horses will be eligible to compete, with 10 slots to be drawn by ballot.

Each slot will cost $40,000, contributing to the overall prize pool of $750k.

The winner will take home $350,000, with $135,000 for second and $100,000 for third placing.

POTENTIAL FIELD

SOXAGON (MARK CURRIE)

Local horse that burst onto the scene with wins in the ATC Trophy and BRC Sprint earlier this year.

ISOTOPE (TONY GOLLAN)

Winner of the 2022 Magic Millions Snippets and last year’s Darby Munro Stakes. Finished fourth in the Stradbroke Handicap.

ROTHFIRE (ROBERT HEATHCOTE)

Started favourite in the 2020 Golden Rose. Back to his best form over the winter with a fourth in the Kingsford Smith and third in a Stradbroke.

ME ME LAGARDE (TOBY/TRENT EDMONDS)

Young filly on the rise and caught the eye with a fast-finishing second in the Magic Millions Guineas.

APACHE CHASE (DESLEIGH FORSTER)

Won Toowoomba’s biggest race last year in taking out the Weetwood. Won the Kingsford Smith Cup this year.

PRINCE OF BOOM (ROBERT HEATHCOTE)

Very exciting three-year-old and the most recent winner of the QTIS Jewel. Winner of five of nine starts, including a pair of Group victories over the six furlongs.

SHE’SGOTTHEBOOM (STEVEN O’DEA/MATTHEW HOYSTED)

We don’t know just how good this filly could turn out to be. Undefeated from three starts including the 2YO Jewel.

ZOUSTYLE (TONY GOLLAN)

A lightly-raced six-year-old that on his best day is one of Queensland’s most exciting sprinters. A dual black type winner.

SHOOTING FOR GOLD (STEVEN O’DEA/MATTHEW HOYSTED)

Four-year-old who is a winner of seven races from 16 starts. Runs well over the six furlongs and has been competitive against better class of horses. Would get in with a light weight.

STEADY READY (TONY/MADDY SEARS)

Only had the two starts, but looks highly promising and arguably should be unbeaten. A promising local type with plenty of potential.

NICCANOVA (STEVE TREGEA)

An old-timer but is still racing as honest as ever. A multiple Group winner and trained locally by Steve Tregea. Would give his all in a race like this.

KISUKANO (MICHAEL NOLAN)

Local mare who won the Jewel as a two-year-old. Has a superb fresh record. Won by 7 1/2 lengths at Clifford Park on debut.

TOOWOOMBA STRIKES IT RICH WITH $750k FEATURE

CLIFFORD Park is set to join the rich end of town after the announcement of a blockbuster new race.

The Mort & Co King of the Mountain, worth a total of $750,000, is set to become Queensland’s richest provincial race when run on New Year’s Eve.

It’s the latest slot race to enter the Australian racing fold, following on from the success of The Everest in Sydney and the inaugural running of The Archer at Rockhampton earlier this year.

The conditions of the race are set to be determined, however it is confirmed that it will take place over 1200m, the journey of Toowoomba’s biggest race, the Weetwood Handicap.

In what is seen as a major coup for the state, the race will only be on offer to horses bred and trained in Queensland.

“It’s all about Queensland and it’s all about the Queensland breeding industry,” Racing Queensland CEO Brendan Parnell said.

“The idea and the concept came from the club and the breeders. They came to us and said they’ve love to run a slot race all about Queensland.

“It’s the first race of this nature and this prizemoney which is all about Queenslanders. The money will be staying in the Sunshine State.”

King of the Mountain subcommittee chair Paul Reedy said the race would provide a highlight moment for Toowoomba’s traditional meeting to close out the calendar year.

“It will be run on New Year’s Eve in the summertime,” he said.

“Racing Queensland will determine with Sky Racing exactly the position on race night. Wherever it will be run, it will be fantastic for everyone to watch.

“Around New Year’s Eve it’s a big party time and we’ll be looking to put on plenty of entertainment.”

The timing of the King of the Mountain slots into Brisbane’s summer racing program, and could serve as an ideal lead-up for a number of horses targeting the Magic Millions on January 14.

The likes of local sprinter Soxagon, defending Weetwood champion Apache Chase, and gun talents Isotope and Rothfire are sure to attract the attention of slotholders.

Originally published as Spot in Magic Millions up for grabs as $750k King of the Mountain conditions revealed