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Golden Ticket up for grabs in Lexus Melbourne Cup qualifier at Flemington

10 May 2023 Written by VRC

The road to the Lexus Melbourne Cup will continue at Flemington this Saturday on Andrew Ramsden Race Day with the Listed Lexus Andrew Ramsden, offering the winner a guaranteed place in the ‘race that stops a nation’.

The Lexus Andrew Ramsden is the second of six races to offer a golden ticket into the $8 million Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup, with Goldman already securing his place via the Lexus Roy Higgins for trainers Gai Waterhouse OAM and Adrian Bott.

The training duo will attempt to book another one of their gallopers into the race with Lexus Melbourne Cup favourite White Marlin headlining the feature on Saturday. He faces fierce competition from a quality field of runners including Mornington Cup runner up Hezashocka and 2019 Lexus Melbourne Cup winner Vow and Declare.

The undercard features the Listed Hilton Nicholas Straight Six (1200m) with a strong field of off-season sprinters set to line up. Connections of D’Jumbuck will be hoping to continue their successful preparation and edge his total prizemoney won to over $500,000.

Away from the racing action on the track, a host of kid’s activities will be on-course including special Mother’s Day Arts and Crafts in The Atrium where children can make their own Mother’s Day cards. Phar Lap Club Members can also get creative and make their own unique bouquet of flowers for mum. The Phar Lap Club is free to join for children under 12 who can sign up online or on the day via the QR code located in The Atrium.

VRC Chief Executive Officer Steve Rosich said the Listed Lexus Andrew Ramsden has become a sought-after race on the Australian calendar. 

“The Listed Lexus Andrew Ramsden is another important steppingstone offering that elusive golden ticket as we build momentum towards the Lexus Melbourne Cup in November which is now only six months away,” Mr Rosich said.

“The race day pays tribute to the late Andrew Ramsden who had an incredible impact on the club through his service on the committee. His passion for staying races lives on through the naming of this race.”

The race day marks the start of the Winter Racing Series at Flemington with each heat affording the winner and runner up ballot exemption into their respective finals on Flemington Finals Race Day, Saturday 1 July.

Living Legend’s and Lexus Melbourne Cup champions Brew and Twilight Payment will be special equine guests on the day where racegoers can visit them in the stalls or watch them parade in the Mounting Yard after races 2 and 4.

Gates open at 10:55am with Race 1 at 11:55am. General Admission tickets are $20 for adults with children under 12 admitted free.

Andrew Ramsden Race Day Program

Race

Time

Name

1

11:55am

Parade Lounge Sprint (1100m)

2

12:30pm

VRC Member Lisa Parnes Plate (1400m)

3

1:05pm

Sir Eugene Gorman Handicap (1400m)

4

1:40pm

K.A Morrison Handicap (1600m)

5

2:15pm

VRC Member Cameron Ryan Plate (1600m)

6

2:50pm

Listed Hilton Nicholas Straight Six (1200m)

7

3:30pm

Listed Lexus Andrew Ramsden (2800m)

8

4:10pm

Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour Trophy (1400m)

9

4:45pm

The Rose Room Sprint (1200m)