In a last-ditch attempt to propel New Zealand import Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante) into All-Star Mile calculations, the gelding’s owners are relying on the help of one of the industry’s best-known charities.
Connections have teamed up with Living Legends, an organisation that rehomes retired champion racehorses, with a deal that will undoubtedly benefit both parties should it come off.
The charity will heavily promote Callsign Mav in coming days before voting for the A$5 million feature next month goes into blackout mode on Friday and then closes on Sunday, while in return owners will donate 10 per cent of any eventual prizemoney back to Living Legends should he gain a start in the race.
Living Legends CEO Dr Andrew Clarke says the partnership is beneficial to both parties.
“This year we saw Callsign Mav, multiple Group One winner form New Zealand, Danny O’Brien stable, he sounded like a horse that could benefit from some votes and is a live chance at some odds,” Clarke said.
“They’ve said we’ll do the push and see if we can get him in and 10 per cent of any prizemoney he gets will come to us.
“It’s one of those win-win situations, it’s a big, important race and we’re keen to be involved in it.”
Clarke says any prizemoney would go towards infrastructure upgrades at the charity’s Greenvale property.
Currently 18th in voting order with a tick over 1200 votes, Clarke is under no illusions even getting a start in the race will be a task in itself.
“We’re going to have one big, hard push over the weekend,” he said.
“We’re working hard, we’re going to have a big push over the next few days, but I think we’re really going to have to call pretty hard on our followers.
“We get around it and promote it to people who are coming here, that’s just the benefit of looking to help out a charity looking after horses.
“We’ve got some really loyal followers, so I think as the deadline gets closer, we’ll see the support come to fruition.”
Should he sneak into the field, the Living Legends team believes Callsign Mav won’t just be making up the numbers.
“If you check out his form, he’s a horse with a big opportunity to win, I think he’s flying under the radar, he’s a three-time Group 1 winner in New Zealand, he’s in a great stable,” Clarke said.
“Get him in and you’re helping to support a pretty special cause.”
