Prized Icon (NSW) and fifteen other interstate horses arrived at Perth Airport this morning for The 2018 TABtouch Masters.
Perth’s most prestigious three race days, which collectively make up The TABtouch Masters, have attracted a record number of interstate horses this year from some of the country’s most celebrated stables.
Champion trainers Darren Weir (Vic), Chris Waller (NSW), Gai Waterhouse (NSW) and Lloyd Kennewell (Vic) are among the interstate stables that have brought 16 horses to Perth for The TABtouch Masters.
The number of visitors is an increase on the 14 interstate horses to contest The TABtouch Masters in 2017, and 12 in 2016, and can be attributed to Perth Racing’s Equine All Stars Incentive Scheme, which encourages interstate and international visitors to Perth for the three race days.
“Perth Racing is thrilled to welcome the 16 visitors to Ascot for the next three weekends of Group 1, $1 million racing,” said Perth Racing Managing Director Professor John Yovich AM.
“The strong representation from the east coast provides added competition for our local horses and jockeys, creating an electric atmosphere at Ascot.
“This increase in interstate representation has a significant economic flow on to the Western Australian community and the Equine All Stars Incentive Scheme has been pivotal to the modern-day records we are seeing for nominations and declarations for The TABtouch Masters.”
The thoroughbreds arrived in Perth early this morning on a charter flight from the east coast.
Several local stables will house the interstate visitors, with local trainer Lindsey Smith hosting Darren Weir’s five charges (Iconoclasm, Junipal, Peaceful State, Voodoo Lad and Holy Snow) at his Casuarina property, while Ascot trainer Bob Turrell will host Mister Sea Wolf and Orcein for Chris Waller.
Dual Group 1 winner Prized Icon, trained by NSW’s Kris Lees, is scheduled to saddle up for the Kirin-Railway Stakes this Saturday against a field that includes 2018 TABtouch-Perth Cup winner Material Man trained locally by Justin Warwick.
The barrier draw for the 2018 Kirin-Railway Stakes will take place at Ascot Racecourse at 4pm tomorrow (Tuesday 20 November) and will be broadcast live on Sky Thoroughbred Central.
2017 Crown Perth-Winterbottom Stakes winner Viddora, of Lloyd Kennewell’s stable, is aiming to secure back-to-back victories on December 1, in a field that has attracted a total of seven interstate runners, while former WA gelding and 2018 LKS Mackinnon Stakes winner Trap For Fools, now trained in Victoria by Jarrod McLean, is among the runners earmarked for the Magic Million-Kingston Town Classic on December 8.
“After three years of dedicated effort to raise the profile of The TABtouch Masters with stables from around Australia, and the world, we are now finding a halo effect where interest is spreading not only to the three feature races but also to the supporting races,” said Prof. Yovich.
“Three visitors, from the stables of Gai Waterhouse, Chris Waller and Darren Weir, are in line to contest the Group 2 Sky Racing-WA Guineas on Saturday – it will be a race not to be missed.”
The TABtouch Masters consists of three consecutive $1 million, Group 1 race days at Ascot Racecourse – Kirin Railway Stakes Day (November 24), Crown Perth Winterbottom Stakes Day (December 1) and Magic Millions Kingston Town Classic (December 8).
View as PDF: Interstate Horses - 2018 TABtouch Masters, Ascot Racecourse
