By Darren Cartwright
The ballot application deadline for a slot in the inaugural Mort & Co King of the Mountain at Toowoomba on New’s Year Eve is fast approaching, and interested parties are urged to lodge their paperwork.
The highly lucrative sprint over 1200 metres will carry $750,000 in prizemoney, with 10 slots in the event drawn by ballot and another two auctioned.
The race is for Queensland-bred horses, prepared by a trainer based in the Sunshine State, with applications closing on September 14.
The field of 12 for the Mort & Co King of the Mountain will be decided when the ballot and auction are held at the Goods Shed, Toowoomba, at midday on Friday, October 7.
All ballot winners will retain their slot for the next three years.
The rich sprint race will be contested as a Set Weights and Penalties event and the winner will receive a wild card entry into the Magic Millions QTIS on the Gold Coast on Magic Millions Day.
Toowoomba Turf Club CEO Lizzy King (pictured) said that from the moment the race was unveiled in June, there has been remarkable interest in the King of the Mountain.
“The inquiries we have fielded since the Mort & Co King of the Mountain was announced have been more than we anticipated, which has been a great validation of the event,” Ms King said.
“Many of those inquiries have followed through with an application, and many have stated an intention to do so.
“For those that have not lodged their paperwork but want to be part of history, ballot applications close on September 14.
"If you're fortunate enough to be drawn in the ballot on October 7, you can plan to ring in the New Year at Clifford Park.”
A fee of $250 is payable with every ballot application.
Only ballot applicants can bid at the auction for one of the two slots being ‘sold’ under the hammer.
Should an applicant be one of the 10 ballots that will be drawn on October 7, a further $40,000 is payable.
Ms King said the three-year hold on a slot made the Mort & Co King of the Mountain concept was a stand-out for a race that catered purely for Queensland’s breeding industry.
“Any contemplating entering the ballot needs to realise that will have a three-year hold on a slot and can guarantee where they will be on the last Saturday of every year until 2024,” she said.
* For more information on the inaugural King of the Mountain, click here