Caulfield Cup Race Day at the Gold Coast Turf Club is a flagship event for Attwood Marshall Lawyers, with this year marking the 10th anniversary of the firm proudly sponsoring the event. The time-honoured lead-up race to the Melbourne Cup is in danger of being usurped by the $15M Everest at Royal Randwick in Sydney, but the racing purists look to Melbourne for the Spring Carnival highlights, explains Attwood Marshall Lawyers Legal Practice Director Jeff Garrett.
Introduction
The Gold Coast has been home to racing since the 1890s. From the occasional public meeting run in an old cane paddock in Bundall, to the glamorous and exciting events now held at Aquis Park, Gold Coast Turf Club, the industry has come a long way and the Gold Coast has established itself as a truly exciting and glorious location to soak up the best of thoroughbred horse racing. Now home to the Magic Millions race day in January of each year and the Gold Coast Cup meeting in May (which includes the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes), the GCTC has established itself as a premium race course located on the famous Gold Coast strip. The future plans for a track upgrade and the installation of lights to allow night racing will only add to the Metropolitan status of this outstanding venue.
Attwood Marshall Lawyers have been affiliated with the Gold Coast Turf Club as a corporate sponsor for over 20 years, with Legal Practice Director Jeff Garrett serving as a board member for over 5 years from 2009.
With a stellar line-up of the race fields for the Caulfield Cup and Everest Race Days, it is anticipated that this year’s Spring Racing Carnival will be one of the biggest yet as racing enthusiasts flock to the tracks all around the nation.
Caulfield Cup 2022
The Caulfield Cup is one of the most anticipated races on the Australian racing calendar and a centrepiece of the Melbourne Spring Carnival, having been first run in 1879. It is an historical key lead up race to the iconic Melbourne Cup, which is run on the first Tuesday in November. Many of the horses who will be racing in the Caulfield Cup will hope to go on to race in the Melbourne Cup. History shows that horses who have won, are placed or who have run well in the Caulfield Cup do well in ‘the race that stops a nation’. Although, not so in recent years – the last horse to win the ‘Cups double’ was the mighty mare Ethereal in 2001, ridden by local jockey Scott Seamer.
The Caulfield Cup race, which takes place at the Caulfield Racecourse Melbourne, is run over 2400 meters and is considered the most lucrative turf race of its distance, with $5 million in prize money up for grabs.
This year, the Caulfield Cup will be held on Saturday 15 October. The days leading up to Saturday are expected to bring more rain in Melbourne, which will soften the track even further, however the forecast for Saturday’s race is expected to be clear. The eyes of the nation will be on Caulfield for this fantastic race and it is likely a mudlark will prevail – will the mare Montefilia handle the conditions best or will 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow and Declare find some of his old form to triumph? The favourite, Smokin’ Romans, was a 20-1 rank outsider last start winner – can he repeat his success on Saturday?
The Everest
The Caulfield Cup is held on the same day as Sydney’s ‘The Everest’, a race run over 1200m, which is renowned as Australia’s richest race on turf, offering competitors over $15 million in prize money. The Everest is run at Sydney’s Royal Randwick racetrack and has a maximum of 12 horses for this prestigious sprint race.
The race sparked immediate controversy when it was first held 6 years ago. How dare Sydney hold this pretentious race on one of the most ‘holy’ race days of the Melbourne Spring Carnival in the Caulfield Cup at The Heath? Things seemed to have settled down a little with the elapsing of time, but no doubt the Melbourne race purists remain outraged by this infiltration of their famous historical race.
The star-studded field of sprinters is headed by last year’s brilliant winner in the Nicconi sired Nature Strip, the Chris Waller trained champion who will be ridden by James McDonald (J-Mack). Nature Strip, who also triumphed in England earlier this year winning the King’s Stand race at Royal Ascot, will be the hot favourite, although there are a few worthy challengers in Masked Crusader, Private Eye, and old foe Eduardo.
Here on the Gold Coast, we are set to enjoy the day and high-profile races in addition to 8 local races ranging from 1200m to 2400m. The Gold Coast is predicted to deliver the perfect weather and a good track to celebrate the occasion.
Top Tips
Caulfield Cup: a tough one to pick (as always), but with the wet track deteriorating over the course of the day, maybe Montefilia? Dangers are Inspirational Girl, Smokin’ Romans and Vow and Declare. If the Hayes trained Makram gets a start, watch out for him!
Everest: Nature Strip! Put everything you have on him – he will win in a canter! Masked crusader to run a gallant second and Private Eye third.
Attwood Marshall Lawyers – Experts in Thoroughbred Breeding, Racing, and Equine Law
For Attwood Marshall Lawyers, it is not just about showing up on the day to be part of the atmosphere, our team have deep roots in the equine industry, with many staff owning horses, competing in equestrian dressage, and being involved in thoroughbred breeding and racing.
It is that love of horses that puts Attwood Marshall Lawyers on the map as one of the few law firms who specialise in this niche area of law.
Our passionate Equine Lawyers are able to assist with:
- Stallion and Racehorse Syndications
- Appeals for Trainers and Jockeys
- Business Structuring for Breeders and Owners
- Taxation Advice and ATO Racing Industry Audits
- Litigation for Contract Disputes
- Compensation Claims for Injured Jockeys and Staff
If you want highly specialised knowledge and advice in the business aspects of the horse racing industry, make an appointment with one of our senior Equine Lawyers by contacting Equine Law Department Manager, Amanda Heather, on direct line 07 5506 8245, email aheather@attwoodmarshall.com.au or free call our 24/7 phone line on 1800 621 71.
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Racing & Equine Law
The Spring racing season is here on the Gold Coast! Attwood Marshall Lawyers are proud to sponsor the Caulfield Cup & The Everest Raceday at Gold Coast’s Premier Racecourse: Aquis Park
