Aussie shows the way in Godolphin Seven Stars competition

When Tasmanian man Leighton Hodge won a $250,000 car in the world’s richest online horse racing competition last year, he was rightfully excited. But that was only second prize!

Now comes the chance to see if another Australian can go one better and win the lucrative Godolphin Seven Stars competition, with entries now being accepted from all over the world on the Godolphin website.

The competition is free to enter at www.godolphin.com and nearly a million dollars in prizemoney will be shared between the top seven placed contestants at year’s end.

Last year Leighton Hodge proved Australians’ renowned ability to tip a winner, finishing second overall. This month Leighton will head to Dubai for the Dubai World Cup on March 24, with the two other Seven Stars winners, to pick up his new Mercedes S-class worth AUD$250,000.

"I’m very excited - I am looking forward so much to going to Dubai. Following my seven Godolphin horses through the Godolphin website has created a strong interest in international racing, " were Leighton’s sentiments on his upcoming trip.

The competition offers the chance for Australian sports fans and racing enthusiasts to test their skills against the rest of the world.

This year’s winner will also travel to Dubai for the 2002 Dubai World Cup where they will be presented with their trophy and US$150,000. Second and third will travel to Dubai to collect US$100,000 and US$50,000 respectively.

Each entrant chooses seven horses from the Godolphin racing stable, and accumulates points according to their racing success throughout the year. Points are awarded to horses that finish first, second or third in contested races, with more points allocated to higher quality events. The 12 races of the Emirates World Series Racing Championship represent the top point scoring opportunities.

The racing starts on March 24 and runs through until December 16, marking the first and last legs of the Emirates World Series Racing Championship. All entries close for the 2001 Godolphin Seven Stars competition on Friday March 23.

Godolphin is the world-wide racing entity of the Maktoums, the ruling family of Dubai. With their worldwide racing operation, the Maktoum family are keen to foster interest in horse racing around the globe.