THE world’s richest sprint race series, the 2010 Global Sprint Challenge, was launched at Flemington Racecourse today ahead of the opening leg of the series, the $500,000 Group 1

Coolmore Lightning Stakes, which will be contested at Flemington on Saturday.

The international significance of the series was highlighted with a special appearance by star USA sprinter Cannonball, in Melbourne for the 1000-metre dash down the famous Flemington straight, before taking on the rest of the world in other legs of the Global Sprint Challenge.

The Wesley Ward-trained speedster will become the first USA-trained and owned horse to compete in Australia when he lines up in the Lightning Stakes.

Cannonball has been sent to Australia in a determined bid to break the dominance of Australian-trained sprinters in the Global Sprint Challenge and score the $US1 million bonus on offer for any horse that can win Group 1 Challenge races in three different countries.

The Global Sprint Challenge holds a special place for Australians with the Lightning Stakes providing a launching pad for local sprinters to compete on the world stage.

Three of the past four Lightning Stakes winners – Takeover Target (2006), Miss Andretti (2007) and Scenic Blast (2009) – have gone on to win the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in the UK. The great Choisir also completed the double in 2003, blazing the trail for Aussie sprinters on the world stage.

“In its six year history, the Global Sprint Challenge has not only enhanced the earning potential and value of sprinters, it has delivered an unforgettable experience for competing owners, trainers and jockeys from around the world,” Racing Victoria Ltd (RVL) Chief Executive, Rob Hines, said.

“The thrill of racing a thoroughbred is one enjoyed worldwide, but the dream of competing on the world stage is a reality for a fortunate few.

“This unique opportunity to compete on the world stage has been greatly enhanced for the best sprinters from across the globe, thanks to the Global Sprint Challenge and this will continue to grow with plans to expand the series in the future.

“We are again proud to open the series in Australia with the Coolmore Lightning Stakes and I extend our appreciation to the Victoria Racing Club and Coolmore for their wonderful support and promotion of the Global Sprint Challenge.”

This morning’s launch featured an interactive barrier draw for the Group 1 sprint involving children from the Oaklands Pony Club.

The 2010 Global Sprint Challenge takes in eight races across four racing jurisdictions – Australia, United Kingdom, Japan and Hong Kong – with over $US8 million in prize money and bonuses on offer.

Following the Lightning Stakes the series heads to the UK for a trio of Group 1 races – the King’s Stand Stakes (15 June) and Golden Jubilee Stakes (19 June) at Royal Ascot and the July Cup (9 July) at Newmarket.

It then moves to Japan for two more legs, the Centaur Stakes (12 September) at Hanshin and the Sprinters Stakes (3 October) at Nakayama, before returning to Australia for the penultimate leg, the Patinack Farm Classic (6 November), at Flemington.

The Challenge reaches its climax with the running of the eighth race, the coveted Hong Kong International Sprint, at Sha Tin on 12 December.

The $US1 million bonus for any horse that can prove triumphant in Group 1 Challenge races in three different countries will be split 75 percent for the owner and 25 percent for the trainer.

The Coolmore Lightning Stakes is the feature event on an eight-race card at Flemington which doubles as the start of the Melbourne Festival of Racing. It will be run at 4.10pm (AEDT).

“We again have another fantastic crop of sprinters ready to showcase their talents in this Saturday’s Coolmore Lightning Stakes and we are delighted to welcome our first US-trained horse, Cannonball, to Australia for this great race,” Hines ended.

RACING VICTORIA MEDIA RELEASE

Media Contact: Shaun Kelly – RVL Communications Manager M: 0417 145 796

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