NZ's $3.5M 'Kiwi' Race Winner Eyes Golden Eagle Shot

Key Takeaways:

• Winner of New Zealand's $3.5m 'The Kiwi' race likely to receive Golden Eagle invite
• Peter V'landys supports NZ racing advancements and new slot race initiative
• The Kiwi race attracts strong Australian interest, including top favorites

New Zealand's racing scene is set for a significant boost with the introduction of 'The Kiwi', a new $3.5 million slot race that's caught the attention of Australian racing officials. Peter V'landys, Racing NSW chief executive, has thrown his support behind this development, hinting at exciting opportunities for the race's winner.

Golden Eagle Opportunity Looms for The Kiwi Victor

The inaugural running of The Kiwi, a 1500m race for three-year-olds, is scheduled for Saturday at Ellerslie. V'landys, the mastermind behind The Everest, has indicated that the winner of this new slot race is likely to receive an automatic entry into the prestigious $10 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill in November.

'The last couple of times we have had some controversy with who gets into the Golden Eagle because it's so competitive, it's attracted horses from around the world,' V'landys explained. 'It's going to be harder and harder to get into the race. Having an automatic entry to the Golden Eagle is a real bonus for the (Kiwi) race.'

This development comes as welcome news for connections of The Kiwi's participants, with Australian-trained horses Evaporate and Public Attention currently leading the betting markets.

The Golden Eagle, restricted to four-year-old horses, has seen international success in recent years. Japanese raider Obamburumai claimed victory in 2023, while British trainer William Haggas's Lake Forest took the honors last year.

V'landys praised the initiative behind The Kiwi, describing it as 'a great initiative' and 'an aspirational race'. He emphasized its potential to attract younger audiences and generate significant publicity beyond typical race meetings.

The race is part of a broader revitalization of New Zealand racing, supported by a 25-year strategic partnership between the New Zealand TAB and Ladbrokes owner Entain. V'landys noted the remarkable turnaround in New Zealand racing, stating, 'The transformation of New Zealand racing is unbelievable, they have gone from really being at rock bottom to now being dynamic.'

As The Kiwi prepares for its debut, V'landys urged New Zealand racing officials to leverage social media platforms like TikTok to promote the event and engage with a younger demographic. With its substantial prize money and potential Golden Eagle connection, The Kiwi is poised to become a significant fixture in the Australasian racing calendar, potentially elevating New Zealand racing to new heights.