The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) has forged a strong connection with one of England's prominent long-distance flat races, the Ebor Handicap (2700m), by designating it as the only international race granting automatic entry to the Melbourne Cup.
The Ebor, set to be run at York on August 28, has often been a key form factor for European horses making their way to Australia to compete in the Melbourne Cup.
In recent times, Heartbreak City went on to finish second in the 2016 Melbourne Cup having won the Ebor at his previous start.
The 2023 Melbourne Cup will be held at Flemington on November 7.
In an announcement released on Thursday morning regarding the conditions for the upcoming Melbourne Cup in the spring, the VRC officially declared the Ebor as the seventh race in which victory guarantees a spot in Australia's most famous race.
All remaining six races that offer ballot exemption for the two-mile feature will take place in Melbourne.
“The Ebor Handicap has been a proven pathway into the Melbourne Cup over the years and it is fantastic to be able to build on the association with Flemington and York Racecourse,” VRC Chief Executive Steve Rosich said.
“The introduction of a seventh golden ticket is exciting for both clubs and connections of all potential Ebor runners. It further cements the Lexus Melbourne Cup's international reach and appeal.”
The Ebor Handicap joins The Roy Higgins (2600m), The Andrew Ramsden (2800m), The Bart Cummings (2500m), Caulfield Cup (2400m), Cox Plate (2040m) and Archer Stakes (2500m) in offering ballot exemption for the Melbourne Cup.
The Melbourne Cup conditions have undergone several notable modifications, including revised declaration dates and two adjustments to the balloting process.
To ensure participation, connections must submit their official Melbourne Cup nominations by Tuesday, September 5, with entries closing at noon.
Additionally, there has been a slight alteration in the balloting criteria.
Any horse that achieves a placing in a golden-ticket race or any Group 1 race covering a distance of 2000m or more will automatically bypass the initial ballot for the Melbourne Cup.