Among France’s foremost staying battles, the contest now qualifies victors directly into Australia’s hallmark event, the Melbourne Cup, under a ‘win and you’re in’ policy.
Group 2 Prix Kergorlay at 3000m is grouped with the Belmont Gold Cup from the US and Ebor Handicap, all granting ballot free passes to the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington first Tuesday of November.
The Prix Kergorlay track record has consistently foreshadowed strong showings in the Melbourne Cup.
Back in 2010 Americain swept the double, 2011 saw Dunaden in the Prix Kergorlay leading to Melbourne Cup triumph.
Germany’s Protectionist emulated that in 2014.
The Victoria Racing Club’s Chief Executive Kylie Rogers called the France Galop connection a salute to two leading racing jurisdictions globally.
“France has a storied history and connection with the Melbourne Cup, and we are delighted to formalise our partnership with France Galop by introducing the Prix Kergorlay as a Golden Ticket race,” Rogers said in a statement.
“The Melbourne Cup attracts the best stayers from across the world, and this new partnership both incentivises and ensures that the strongest international contenders are competing on the first Tuesday in November.
“We look forward to building on this partnership and the long-shared bond between our two racing nations.”
A Melbourne Cup qualifier series starts Saturday at Flemington, exempting the Roy Higgins (2600m) winner from ballot.
Other Victorian ‘win and you’re in’ options are Andrew Ramsden (2800m), Bart Cummings (2500m) and Archer Stakes (2500m) from Flemington, as well as Caulfield Cup (2400m), the Moonee Valley Gold Cup, Geelong Cup, and Cox Plate (2040m).
Punters eyeing Melbourne Cup pathways should visit betting sites for early racing odds.