ATC is not only an Everest slot holder but also the host race club for the event. ATC’s general manager James Ross is one of Australia’s leading racing executives, having seen the race world through various coloured lenses, during his tenure with the HKJC, Australian Racing Board and the Victoria Racing Club prior to joining ATC.

 Ross talks to Everest Diaries about their runner Nature Strip and ATC’s plans & hopes for the A$13 million Everest event in the years to come.

 

Q: What are ATC’s racing and promotional plans for Nature Strip?

A: He runs in the 1000m Gr.1 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley which is an important and natural stepping point for him.

As the ATC our promotional campaigns will run at the same time line as last year. We have announced a ‘Top Of The World Contest’, which provides the winner with a VVIP ownership experience on The Everest Race Day. We also a trainer and jockey promotion to drive engagement. And the ATC together with the ownership group will make a contribution to the Jockey Welfare Charity from the prize money received.

 

Q: What are the factors which the ATC considers when choosing a runner for its slot?

A: ATC floats an ‘Expression of Interest’ tender both locally and internationally. This is where the process starts. Thereafter ATC has appointed a core group to assess all the EOI’s received by ATC, based on their race form, overall performance record, recent past performance and international rating. There are some other factors as well which we take into consideration such as speed/time ratios etc. We then review the entire package which includes the owners themselves, jockey and trainer before making a final assessment. Last year we chose Brave Smash who is a top class Japanese bred sprinter owned by a local Australian syndicate.

This year we received 20 EOIs. Nature Strip was chosen because he was already ahead of his trajectory in terms of his rating and stage of career. He was also very suitable for the distance and speed and brings a very high caliber trainer and jockey duo.  

 

Q: Will there be a point where ATC will decide to use only Australian bred horses in their slot?

A: There is always a natural point (around late August through to early September) in the selection process where potential international runners are exhausted. But as ATC we will always view the balance between local and international sprinters.

The Everest is still in in its early stages and we don’t anticipate any such situation arising in the near future.

 

Q: What kind audience profile are you looking to develop for The Everest?

A: From a local perspective we want to add a new audience group. Last year we found a great uplift in the Under-35 segment. We also want the event to become part of the Significant Global Events list. We are already very pleased with the global interest that the event has generated.

Eventually we hope to have a sprinter from Japan, USA etc. This year our international runner, US Navy flag has also created quite the stir and it will be more so, if they are able to secure Ryan Moore as his jockey.

We the event hope grows into a ‘bucket list’ event for owners, jockeys, trainers and racing fans.

Last year, we had more attendance at Randwick than we have ever had in the last ten years. We hope that the race will continue to increase its attendance numbers year on year.

 

Q: Will you ever consider growing the field?

A: The Everest slot holders have been contracted for 3 years. So we may consider a revision in the future.

 

Q: And finally, do you ever think that you will expand the format to include other types of races (like staying races) on The Everest raceday?

A: We believe this concept appeals due to its timing, distance and category. It is considered to be one of the top five sprints in the world today. ATC runs 140 black type races during the year and The Everest Carnival is one of the two major carnivals held by ATC. So on Everest raceday, we focus only on The Everest.

 

Credit: Pallavi Shevade pallavi.shevade@secretariatsworld.com