That oft-quoted – and in fact, misquoted – line from the 1989 Kevin Costner flick Field of Dreams asserts, “Build it and they will come…”
In fact, the line is “If you build it, and he will come.”
Perhaps this is the logic behind the push to rename Sydney’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes the Sydney International Champions Cup as part of an overall revamp of Sydney’s autumn carnival.
The new Sydney International Champions Cup, it is said, would challenge the Melbourne Cup in terms of prize money – and in time, organisers hope, in prestige.
The new race would become the centrepiece of Sydney’s carnival, driven by international participation, particularly from Asian jurisdictions like Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore.
As a Sydneysider, it sounds brilliant in theory. Most punters forget that the Tancred Stakes (now The BMW) had international participation before the Melbourne Cup, when a number of Europeans ran in 1988, 1989 and 1990.
Logistically, though, it is very difficult to see it succeeding, especially in this day and age. The lure of large prize money is significant, but perhaps not significant enough to overcome the many hurdles involved.
In particular, there are two reasons a race like this would be unlikely to work as planned: timing and quarantine.
Already, the international racing calendar is packed to the rafters, meaning a race like this is unlikely to achieve significant cut-through overseas.
For European horses, their season is just beginning, and those who are fit will have been in Dubai a month earlier.
As for Asia, scheduling issues present problems.
Hong Kong has the Queen Elizabeth II Cup around the same time – this year, it was held a day after the Queen Elizabeth Stakes – while the Champions Mile is run a week later.
Given both are worth close to US$2m, why would a Hong Kong trainer or owner make the decision to forego prize money at home in order to chase a race abroad?
In Singapore, all roads lead to the Singapore Airlines International Cup in mid-May, and while it would be possible to run in both, it would be unlikely a Singapore-prepared galloper would attempt the double.
Quarantine continues to remain an issue for Japan. Nevertheless, in April, their top horses are either preparing for the 3200m of the Tenno Sho or are in the paddock.
Perhaps it would be easy if the quarantine situation were to be relaxed, as quarantine issues continue to hinder attempts to attract more internationally-trained horses to Australia.
However, the quarantine laws are necessary.
Our quarantine rules may seem over-zealous at times, but it is easy to forget Australia has a unique environment and the introduction of foreign pests could have terrible effects.
The arrival of equine influenza in Australia, six years ago this week, should serve as a reminder of the need for strict quarantine measures.
Still, quarantine remains a massive stumbling block in attracting internationals to Sydney.
Ian Mackay and the team at Racing NSW should be applauded for thinking big and aiming high. Too often, attempts to engineer change in racing are derided and mocked, when ingenuity should be encouraged.
However, the dream of international participation en masse in the Sydney Carnival once again looks a pipedream. Still, I look forward to seeing what they come up with in their attempts to put Sydney on the international racing radar once more.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
You've hit the nail on the head Andrew. It's easy to buy and sell hype, much harder to manufacture tradition and prestige. Having said that, Melbourne has had the spring carnival timing advantage for ages. That's probably just good fortune more than anything. But, it's still a gold mine for Racing Victoria. In terms of general population participation & interest, Sydney would be rapt to have a Caulfield Cup day, let alone Cox Plate day, Derby day, Cup day, & even, the big pick up day, Oaks day. I'm not being statist, but that's the reality.
Glenn Innes
Guest
I might add that if Sydney is determined to go down this path it might be better off concentrating on the Doncaster rather than WFA races,The VRC has had success with the Cup which is a handicap, but Moonee Valley has had no real luck attracting quality overseas competition to the WFA Cox Plate. The Cup has found a kind of niche in the market with horses that are a length or two down on European WFA class these horses have nowhere to go in Europe because they don't have group handicaps.The Cup with it's huge prizemoney and history provides an attractive target.Perhaps the Doncaster could find the same niche for milers?
Glenn Innes
Guest
Melbourne spring has three advantages over Sydney autumn Firstly Melbourne spring hots up post Football season but before test cricket arrives, Secondly Melbourne is a better spectator city than Sydney, football cricket whatever crowds are better in Melbourne. Thirdly and most importantly they have the Melbourne Cup the only horse race in Australia the broader public really care about.It doesn't matter how much money the ATC makes whichever race it chooses to promote worth or how many horses from overseas turn up nothing they have will get within a bulls roar of the cup as far as public interest is concerned. We racing fans tend to forget just how far our sport has declined in terms of public interest over the last thirty years.The difference between the two carnivals is Melbourne attracts interest from mainstream sport fans while Sydbey is really just for racing people.
simonjzw
Roar Pro
As can be seen in the Sheek's excellent post above there are a number of classic races in Sydney over the Autumn that deserve increased prize money and status. My personal opinion is instead of loading up the QE Stakes and calling it the International Cup we should use the additional prize money on two more unique races that would create a point of difference with the Melbourne Spring Carnival. I say use the additional prize money to boost the BMW and Doncaster Hcp. Bring the prize money in both much closer to the Golden Slipper. Let Melbourne have its wfa 2000m championship (Cox Plate) and high quality 3200m Hcp (the Melb Cup) and Sydney's premium races become the 2yr old 1200 Golden Slipper, the 2400m wfa staying classic and the Mile handicap
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
Gee that's a good post. The ingredients are there, aren't they? Surely with a consolidated ATC, the right scheduling can be found?
Geoff Parkes
Expert
The thing about tradition is that is happens over time, like it sneaks up on you without you knowing, until at some point everybody realises that something substantial exists. On one hand this strikes me as a rather over-earnest attempt to create tradition, certainly the name of the feature race is dubious in itself. It reminds me of Sandy Roberts flogging the Huntingdale Masters, gold jacket and all, as "The Tradition Continues" when in reality it had only been going for a few years until the backside inevitably dropped out of it anyway. On the other hand I agree with Justin that at least something is being attempted and that should be applauded. They've improved the facility, no point to that if they don't try to get better horses and more people into racing - for whatever reason.
kv joef
Guest
Bang! Bang! Bang! Well aimed and fired Andrew. when i first heard the 'big race' PR ... i was mystified thinking 'what are they trying to achieve?' Sydney already has the 2yrold triple crown. So let's create a 3yr old triple crown - Australian Guineas (1600m Flem) switch the Rosehill Guineas with the Spring Champion Stks (dropping the spring - 2000m Rose) and the ATC Derby (2400m Rand). Yes and space the Derby another week so a 3yr old could have a crack at 2400m BMW. That puts the races over 6/7 weeks, like the US on 3 different tracks going the right way and the melb. way :). Offer a BONUS of $2m to the winner of 3 legs and $1m to the winner of 2 legs. Bet that keeps everyone interested or at least the good 3 yrolds right to the end. No spelling Super Cool then :). AND how about the world's first QUAD - Australian Cup (2000m) / Rawson (2000m / BMW- Tancred (2400m) / Autumn QE (2000m) Offer a $4m bonus to any winner of all 4 / $2.5 m to winner of 3 / $1m to the winner of 2 (could be done twice). Now i've just spent the same money as a super race (if the QUAD goes off) and those bonus' added on to the race prize looks v.v.tasty and with a few bites at the cherry to keep interest to the last race. I have no doubt the QUAD will attract OS attention as they know the cream will be elsewhere. As mentioned, focal points for the world's best are Breeder's Cup Day / Dubai Day / Ascot or UK champion day + arc. Maybe such a program above might encourage stable's of 2nd trier wfa G1 OS mile/mid-dst horses that are still v.high class to choose to bypass being beaten in the Breeder's and finish their Nthrn Hemi season in melb, tackling the Cox / emirates etc while the Distance horses battle out the Endurance World Championship (Cup) - then they can spell and pre-train in aust - they know we have excellent facilities - allowing them to begin their campaigns down here in the autumn for serious prizes, instead of getting beat in Dubai, before being shipped back to their home, where-ever that might be continuing on their Nth-Hemi program. Regardless it would tighten the Autumn Vic and NSW carnivals into one. BUT HONESTLY I want a bona-fide 3 year-old triple crown not a hotch-potch of three year-old races culminating at the ATC Derby. Let's give OS observers a system they can understand like they give us.
Bondy
Guest
Sheek I remember that programming and it worked nicely, most of the people from the bush would come down for the " long" weekend and the Royal Easter Show to boot.
peeeko
Roar Guru
Good point Bondy, the MC rarely attracts the worlds top horses
sheek
Roar Guru
Justin, I do agree with you that the ATC does need to do something. Not quite sure though they're going down the right path. But then I am not an expert in this area. And since I'm inclined to put structures before profit, I'm probably totally wrong!
Justin Cinque
Expert
Sheek I don't want to be critical of them especially before we know exactly what's going down. They needed to do something because the Sydney autumn was on the highway to insignifance. Racing is now a global sport, the ATC needs to chase international particiaption. Making Australian racing more international is one of the sport's few salvations. In the time the Melbourne spring has truly become international, the Sydney autumn has been wiped. The ATC needs to plug away, needs a bit of luck because if this works - a carnival to rival the Melbourne spring - not only will Sydney racing be restored but Australian racing will be on par with all racing jurisdictions in the world as a global leader in the sport.
sheek
Roar Guru
Hi Justin, What's the point of framing your racing to attract foreigners, when that plan is flawed? (Or at least I believe it's flawed). Sydney used to have 4-5 great weekends of racing, including a similar Derby/Doncaster Saturday, Cup Monday, Oaks Wednesday & QE2 Saturday format that mimicked Melbourne spring. The ATC is trying to sell one big race - a rebranded QE2, & consider a Breeder's Cup style program where all the big eggs are tossed into one or two days. Sydney racing can do better than that. Sydney used to have the basics pretty right - structure of programs & variety of races. Get back to the basics, & the revenue streams will eventually take care of themselves. There's more to horse racing that corporate bookmakers, wealthy breeders & famous thoroughbred owners. Isn't there.....?????
Justin Cinque
Expert
In my mind, this is a massive step in the right direction by the ATC and Racing NSW. Sydney racing and the Sydney Autumn Carnival have been in decline for at least the last ten years. It's got to the point where the gun Melbourne and South Australian horses have stopped travelling to Sydney. The prizemoney for the autumn has been good but the prestige and interest from the racing public has dwindled significantly. At the Golden Slipper this year, for maybe the first time, there was a crowd of less 20,000. The atmosphere was dead. I've seen louder cheers for the pink dog at Wenty Park than what some the Group 1 winners got that day. That's rock bottom. This new international carnival will at least get the nation and Sydney people interested in Syndey autumn racing again and that's a must. But for it to really work, it needs international participation. But not necessarily a lot, just enough to generate extra interest. In my mind, Randwick is now a world-class facility. The teething problems are largely sorted and now the grandstand is finished, it's the best place to watch racing in Australia. Fantastic! Pre re-build Randwick had nothing on Flemington, Caulfield or Moonee Valley. But now Syndey racing can be proud of Randwick. Andrew wrote some months ago that the spring took off after it's first international winner in Vintage Crop in the 1993 Melbourne Cup. The Sydney Carnival will also need an early international winner to really spark the world's attention. But I've no doubt trainers will travel their horses to some extent. Our climate is far more accommodating than that of Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore. Our air quality is far superior to that of the latter two as well. And that's got to play a part. It may take time but this exercise will be more than worth it if it succeeds. Something had to be done to reignite Sydney racing. I'm glad they're trying.
Bondy
Guest
What is and what isn't serious overseas opposition, does Melbourne continuously get top draw horses from europe and asia ?, No . How many people really know that most european stayers that come here are just out of maiden company and at times or have only won 2-3 races and most haven't even reached the qualifying clauses to get into the Mlb Cup. The Mlb Cup is run three days after the Breeders Cup in America and we still receive International horses so logistically it still works I'd suggest if you want your races to be seen as International go for it nobody knows the difference anyway. Vinnie Roe is the only horse of genuine class that has come to Australia .
Haradasun
Guest
They need to recognise the importance of having both premier WFA and hcp races on the programme. The way they are going it will be all small field WFA races to appease the breeders. I guess that's what happens when you make a breeder the chairman of racing NSW. In terms of expanding the international appeal of Sydney racing, they could start by fixing the absolute embarrassment of a grandstand they have errected. I don't know where to start with it, so many members are fed up with ATC incompetence. It wouldn't surprise me if the whole board gets the sack and we start again. I guess that would be a step in the right direction.
sheek
Roar Guru
Note, The Galaxy should read 1100m. Can't imagine a horse race over 110m! ;-)
sheek
Roar Guru
Hawko, As you allude, the Sydney autumn carnival has so much to offer (in no particular order): 1. HE Tancred Stakes, 2400m - premier open age staying WFA race. 2. Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, 2000m - premier open age classic WFA race. 3. All Aged Stakes, 1600m (historic distance) - premier open age mile WFA race. 4. TJ Smith Stakes, 1200m - premier open age sprint WFA race. 5. Sydney Cup, 3200m - premier open age staying handicap ace. 6. Randwick (or Parramatta) Cup, 2400m - premier open age middle distance handicap race. (New race to mimic Caulfield/Melbourne Cups double). 7. Doncaster Hcp, 1600m - premier open age mile handicap race. 8. The Galaxy, 110m - premier open age sprint handicap race. 9. Australian Derby, 2400m - premier 3y colts & geldings staying set weights race. 10. Australian Oaks, 2400m - premier 3yo fillies staying set weights race. 11. Queen of the Turf Stakes, 1500m - premier mares & fillies WFA race. (Plus Coolmore Stud Classic, 1500m and Emancipation Stakes, 1600m, as a triple crown for maress & fillies). 12, 13, 14. Golden Slippper, 1200m; Sires Produce, 1400m and Champagne Stakes, 1600. (premier 2yo triple crown of set weight races). There are of course, many other worthy races, including reprising the 3yo St. Leger, 2800m, as the ultimate test for future stayers. The point is, the above sample demonstrates the very good racing that can be found in the Sydney autumn carnival. Let's stop mucking about with "quick-fix" entrepreneurial ideas & concentrate on the good things we DO have.
Alfred Chan
Expert
Good on them for trying to innovate something but it won't work. As much as I love the inter-city rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney, at some point you Sydney Siders need to realise that there is no way of rivaling the Melbourne Cup due to the way the international racing calendar is scheduled. If they wanted to be creative, why not try to work with Melbourne and reschedule a few races? I think they key is to revolve the autumn season around Dubai and Hong Kong rather than try to overtake them. Dubai happens at the end of March and Hong Kong happens at the end of April. Due to quarantine restrictions, horses pretty much need one month in Australia and this would not include any lead-up races for them. You'd be a mug trainer to try an squeeze in an Australian run between Dubai and Hong Kong. What Sydney should do is collaborate with Melbourne and run the Sydney autumn (more like summer) carnival BEFORE Melbourne. If Sydney's international carnival was held in February, internationals would be more incentivised to chase riches by taking a Sydney-Dubai-Hong Kong route. After the Sydney international carnival, they could then go back to the regular Golden Slipper carnival. The reason this works in my head is because the Sydney spring carnival occurs BEFORE the Melbourne spring carnival. We often see trainers choosing to bypass the Sydney carnival because they are more focused on spring riches in Melbourne. While there would only be a three month gap between the end of the Melbourne spring carnival and the beginning of the Sydney summer carnival, there are five months between the Sydney spring carnival and the Sydney summer carnival. This means that Sydney trainers can opt to put the cue in the rack early at the conclusion of the Sydney spring carnival, bypass the Melbourne spring carnival, still win rich races in the summer and still against international talent. Lastly, summer racing is awesome! It's bright, sunny and very warm! Who wouldn't want to spend a day at the races? On a lighter note, the name Sydney International Champions Cup sound silly. Especially in those years where no international talent will be attracted! Carbine Cup. kthnxbye.
Cameron Rose
Expert
"If you build it, he will come"!!!
Andrew C (waikato)
Guest
One has to say that Sydney Racing drops Their Balls (pardon the inference :) ) far far more than their southern cousins in Melbourne. Arrogance is a BIG part of their 'weenis' - all talk, no production. Victoria Racing has achieved FAR FAR more than their MORE ADVANTAGED NSW (Sydney) cousins - imo (from this side of the ditch), NSW Racing SHOULD be the more wealthier/achieve more of the two (because they have greater POPULATION & wealth , but continually get gazzumpted by Racing Victoria insofar as Stakesmoney & putting on the BEST carnivals. Innovation is the watchword. NSW has to get innovative whilst ALWAYS guarding TRADITION - not the easiest thing to do when one has commercially interests involved.