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By Mark Brassel

The $2 million The Kosciuszko in October has quickly become known as a race where dreams can quickly become reality – in more ways than one.

Tomorrow week marks the final day (closing midnight Monday 8 September) to purchase $5 Kosciuszko sweepstakes tickets and be a part of a growing phenomenon.

Far Too Easy (Craig Williams) powers away with last year's The Kosciuszko at Royal Randwick. Image by Bradley Photographers

The winning 14 ticketholders drawn two days later have similar power to a slot holder in the Everest whereby they determine which horse runs for them in their slot to make up the final field.

Last year’s winner was Far Too Easy and a group of around 50 from Tattersall’s Hotel in Inverell secured the horse for their slot, receiving more than $6500 a head in return.

Scott Williams, the publican and syndicate manager, told colleague Ray Hickson that he returned home the following day from Royal Randwick to a “hero’s reception”.

“The whole Kossie concept is unbelievable,” he said. “We had a diverse crowd in our syndicate including a couple of older ladies that follow the horses, property owners, tradies and business people.

“The amount of people that came up to me after we won a slot asking ‘how do we get into this Kosciuszko’ was amazing.

“People you wouldn’t expect, just coming off the street who aren’t even regular pubgoers. It’s great for country racing.”

It was a similar story the previous year around 800km away in Goulburn when Garry Dyson, a retired worker in soil conservation and previously a 30-year NSW registered firefighter, landed the winner Front Page.

“On the day when we saw the colours coming down the straight in front was just great,” he said.

“You never think you’re really going to win it; it’s one of those things you don’t have happen every day, just so lucky.”

And it was a couple of garbage collectors striking gold when Front Page won the first of his two Kosciuszkos in 2022.

Queanbeyan’s John Hurley put together a group of family and friends to invest in sweepstakes tickets with a $500 pot.

“You never think you’re really going to win it. It’s one of those things you don’t have happen every day … very lucky.”

Art Cadeau’s 2021 Kossie victory lined the pockets of Brenda Gent who had been working around south coast TABs for many years.

Brenda included her five children and 16 grandchildren in a Kosciuszko syndicate and the windfall provided many with a start to buying a first home, renovations to houses, weddings and other monetary targets.

“I was tickled pink for the kids. It’s helped quite a few family members out to get their heads above water,” Brenda said.

Further information on the Kosciuszko sweepstakes and the $2m race run at Royal Randwick on Saturday 18 October can found on – www.thekosciuszko.com.au

The Kosciuszko sweepstakes draw is broadcast live on Sky Thoroughbred Central and the Racing NSW website from 10am on Wednesday 10 September.

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Port Macquarie, Wellington
Tuesday: Nowra, Scone
Thursday: Coffs Harbour
Saturday: Kempsey, Mendooran (non-TAB)
Sunday: Mudgee, Gundagai