Racing NSW announced their latest feature race on Wednesday – the $1.3 million Kosciuszko – for country trained horses only.

The unique concept will work in a similar fashion to Racing NSW’s flagship race, The Everest, in that slot holders are to negotiate with owners and trainers to have a horse race on their behalf.

O’ So Hazy finished third in this year’s $500,000 Country Championship Final at Randwick and is expected to be Southern District’s best chance of a starter in the inaugural race.

Spackman said he would love to tackle The Kosciuszko with O’ So Hazy.

“It’s very, very exciting,” Spackman said.

“I would have to talk to the owners but you would have to look at it, it sounds impressive.

“If you get a slot, you would definitely have a crack at it. It would be nice to get a horse in it from around here.”

Unlike the Country Championships, the only restriction for the new race is the horse has to be trained in the country, as of Wednesday.

While slots for The Everest cost $600,000, the 12 Kosciuszko slots will be raffled.

Punters can purchase a ticket for $5 at any NSW Australian Hoteliers Association (AHA) hotel that features a TAB outlet.

The 12 slot holders will be drawn on September 14.

They will then have to select a country NSW-trained horse to race on their behalf, subject to agreement being reached on the split of the prizemoney, in The Kosciuszko on Everest day, October 13, at Royal Randwick.

Spackman believes O’ So Hazy and Takookacod would be legitimate contenders.

“I think (O So Hazy) has done enough to warrant a slot,” he said.

“She ran third in the big one (Country Championships Final), ran fourth in the Town Plate and was very unlucky and probably should have won the City Handicap.

“Takookacod has come back much stronger this time around, too.”

O’So Hazy and Takookacod have not raced since the Wagga Town Plate (1200m) on May 3 when they finished fourth and sixth respectively.

Spackman said both horses have been back in work for about four weeks and would be ready to have a crack at the feature in October.

The Kosciuszko will be run over 1200m and at set weights and penalties.

Kosciuszko tickets go on sale on Thursday. Racing NSW will also be contributing $125,000 from the sale of tickets in the Kosciuszko promotion to the Aussie Helpers charity to support NSW farmers.

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