Flying Trapeze may be the rank outsider for the All-Star Mile at Flemington, but for the connections of the gelding it may be their one and only shot at tackling the likes of Mr Brightside and company.
Trainer Gary Portelli said there were 40,000 reasons to have a shot at Saturday’s Group 1 race over 1600m while also giving the ownership group something to talk about in years to come.
Only seven horses will contest the All-Star Mile on Saturday with Flying Trapeze assured of $40,000 if he fails to beat a runner home.
Portelli said he had noticed at acceptance time on Wednesday that only six horses had paid up for the All-Star Mile field, so he thought why not be number seven and collect $40,000 for the exercise.
“Who knows, there could be a ‘Steve Bradbury’ situation,” Portelli said.
“I don’t want them to fall, but I want them all to not fire, and he might beat two or three home and if that happened, there’s some bigger prize money.
“We’re aiming for the $1 million with this horse. He’s won a fair bit already, so we’ll keep etching away at it.”
The further up the finishing order, the bigger the pay day for connections of Flying Trapeze.
The winner receives $1.5 million, second $400,000, third $200,000, fourth $120,000, fifth $80,000 and sixth $40,000.
Portelli said Flying Trapeze was owned by a large group of ladies who enjoy a day at the races.
He said contesting a Group 1 race against the likes of Mr Brightside, Tom Kitten, Another Wil and Atishu is something they will never forget.
Portelli said he has owners who still talk about being in races against Black Caviar.
“It’s something they never forget and the owners, they love this horse,” Portelli said.
“He’s no world beater, but he’s a beautiful horse.
“They all love going to the races, they love to get frocked up and they’re all so excited and can’t believe they’ve got a horse in a Group 1 on the weekend that is worth so much prize money.
“He may never race again in a Group 1, and here he is getting paid to do it.”
