South Australia's racing industry is proving it can compete on the biggest stage in the world with one-quarter of the field for tomorrow's $15 million The Everest trained by South Australians.
The Marshall Government last year announced a significant $24 million stimulus package for South Australia's racing industry to help protect local jobs and boost the industry's competitiveness.
The Everest, which is run at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, is the richest race in Australia and the richest turf race in the world.
Dollar for Dollar, whose spot in the race was confirmed on Monday, joins Gytrash and Behemoth as the third horse with a South Australian based trainer.
Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Corey Wingard today predicted they would do South Australia proud in what has fast become one of the nation's most talked-about sporting events.
"From the start, the Marshall Liberal Government has been eager to secure the state's economic future by investing in industries that grow the economy and support local jobs – and our thoroughbred racing industry certainly fits that description," Minister Wingard said.
"Racing is such an important contributor to our state's economy, both in the major centres and across regional towns and communities.
"Having Dollar for Dollar – prepared by Angaston-based, father-and-son trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy – take that final slot in The Everest is the cherry on top for South Australia's involvement in the 2020 race.
"We already had Gordon Richards trained Gytrash, who is among the favourites, and David Jolly's Behemoth in the race, so the event now has a very strong South Australian flavour.
"This outcome is a fantastic advertisement for thoroughbred racing in South Australia and I'm confident it's another step forward in growing the local industry and in turn further strengthening our economy.
Thoroughbred Racing South Australia (TRSA) CEO Nick Redin said the local racing fraternity was thrilled to have three SA horses in The Everest.
"Gytrash, trained at Morphettville by Gordon Richards, was the first confirmed SA runner and we were ecstatic with that," Mr Redin said.
"Then when Behemoth – prepared at Goolwa by David Jolly – blitzed his rivals in Melbourne recently and got an Everest call-up we were over the moon.
"To now have a third runner in Dollar for Dollar trained by South Australians is a great achievement for the local industry.
"It proves again that our industry participants can compete very successfully at the national level and we wish all three trainers and the connections the best of luck at Randwick on Saturday.
"And let's not forget that this follows the 2020 Adelaide Autumn Carnival which was an outstanding success, from multiple metrics, including social and digital engagement numbers, TV viewing figures and race statistics – including total number of starters.
"Given the challenges the industry faced dealing with COVID-19 protocols, it was a significant achievement."
The 2020 TAB Everest will be run at Randwick racecourse on Saturday. The meeting will be televised in its entirety on Channel 7, while Racing.com will cover the Morphettville meeting.
