THE GOLDEN TICKET
AN EXPRESS PASS TO THE CUP
‘ The race that stops a nation’™, the $8 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m), may be almost six months away but the Road To The Cup begins in May at Flemington with the awarding of the first Golden Ticket for 2022, given to the winner of the Lexus Andrew Ramsden (2800m). With a $300,000 cheque and an express pass into the Lexus Melbourne Cup to be awarded to the winner, it is one of racing’s most prestigious prizes, the ultimate dream for every racehorse owner. A Golden Ticket means that, as long as the horse is entered for the Lexus Melbourne Cup throughout the spring, they will be automatically guaranteed one of the 24 places on offer for Australia’s greatest race. While the connections of other horses are left trying to figure out a way to get into the Lexus Melbourne Cup later in the year, those with Golden Tickets can instead focus on presenting their horse in the best possible condition for what will be the race of their life. Golden Tickets are awarded to the winners of three Flemington features – the Lexus Andrew Ramsden in May, the Lexus Bart Cummings (2500m) in October and the Lexus Hotham Stakes (2500m) on Penfolds Victoria Derby Day – as well as to the winners of theCaulfieldCup (2400m) and theCoxPlate (2040m) in the weeks leading into the first Tuesday in November. The Lexus Andrew Ramsden is unique in that it is restricted to horses aged three, four and five, meaning that it provides an opportunity for young, emerging stayers to qualify for the Lexus Melbourne Cup.
All other Golden Tickets can be won by horses of any age.
Last year, threeGoldenTicket holders –TheLexusBartCummings winner Grand Promenade, Lexus Hotham Stakes victor Great
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