Sydney’s swipe at the Cup falls (very) short

Sydney has taken a swipe at the Melbourne Cup, claiming it’s not Australia’s biggest race.

The Australian Turf Club has taken out a full page ad in The Australian newspaper, claiming it stages the world’s richest turf race – the recently introduced Everest.

“Sydney, get over yourself,” Tony Jones said on 3AW Mornings.

“I reckon they need to accept the fact they are try-hards.

“No one outside of Sydney gives a tinker’s cuss (about the Everest).”

It carries prize money of $13 million, while the Cup’s prize money is $6 million.

More than 100,000 people are expected at Flemington today, while only 33,000 went to the Everest at Royal Randwick.

Tony Jones spoke to the Victorian Racing Club’s honorary treasurer and interim CEO, Neil Wilson on 3AW Mornings.

Mr Wilson said there was no comparison between the two races.

“On any measure that you look at, crowds, the race itself, the history of what’s going on here, I think there’s a fair gap to go,” he said.

“We encourage anything that promotes racing, we’d just like to do it together.”

This full page ad in The Australian this morning. Seriously, Sydney... pic.twitter.com/NZgLAadRSF

— tony jones (@TJch9) November 6, 2017