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By Greg Prichard

Lisztomania’s trainer Todd Payne says The Kosciuszko contender has done so well in his work at his home track at Inverell that it makes more sense than ever to go first-up from a spell into the big race.

Payne added that when Lisztomania does have a barrier trial before The Kosciuszko the horse won’t be pushed out, so as to keep his explosiveness for the day that matters.

But first Lisztomania, a $15 chance in the betting on The Kosciuszko with TAB, has to be selected to run in the race and Payne believes what the horse did in the autumn will get him a start.

The $2 million The Kosciuszko will be run over 1200 metres at Randwick on October 18.

Trainer Todd Payne (Pic: Grant Guy)

Punters can go in the draw to have a horse run for them in The Kosciuszko by purchasing sweepstakes tickets at $5 each through the TAB app, tab.com.au, your local pub and club and at race meetings.

Ticket sales close at 11.59pm on Monday, September 8, and the 14 slot-holders will be drawn at 10am on Wednesday, September 10. They can then do a deal on a prizemoney split with the connections of eligible runners trained in the NSW country or ACT.

Lisztomania had a great autumn, which he kicked off with a win first-up from a spell in a Class 3 TAB Highway Handicap over 1200 metres at Randwick.

He then finished second in the H&NWRA Country Championships Qualifier over 1400 metres at Tamworth and was a desperately close second to Know Thyself in the $1 million Country Championships Final over 1400 at Randwick.

Payne says Lisztomania, a seven-year-old gelding that remains lightly raced having had just 21 career starts for three wins and 12 placings, goes best over 1200 metres and that his efforts over 1400 in the autumn indicated how tough he was as a racehorse.

“His prep for 1400 was different, he’s a better 1200 horse,” Payne said. “He’s going fantastic in his work at the track, too. I couldn’t be happier with him.

“We’re trying to give him the best chance of winning The Kosciuszko, rather than having to audition for a start in the race.

“I’m setting him for a first-up run so there’s not going to be any current form for the slot-holders to consider, only the exposed form from the Country Championships. But I believe if people are spending money on tickets they’ll know the form.

“And they’ll know that racing first-up over 1200 metres at Randwick will really suit him, like it did when he won that Highway in the autumn.”

Payne says Lisztomania will run in a barrier trial at Newcastle on September 24.

“That would be his only trial and then it would be three-and-a-half weeks into the ‘Kozzie’, so hopefully we’ll have a spot in the race by the time he trials,” Payne said.

“It won’t be a hard trial for him, it’ll be an easy enough, soft trial. He’s done everything we want on the track - his fast gallops have been terrific. He doesn’t need to go flat-out in a trial. We’re saving that for race-day.”

Buy your tickets in The Kosciuszko sweepstakes here - anyone can win!