Now every Canberran can get the chance to climb Kosciuszko.
The $2 million Kosciuszko that is.
Canberra Racing has convinced Racing NSW to allow ACT citizens to take part in the sweepstakes for the first time in this year's big race.
That means Canberrans can buy tickets to go into the draw to win one of the 14 slots that allow you to pick a country-trained horse to represent you in the Kosciuszko.
Slot holders can also negotiate what percentage of the prize money they'll win.
It's hoped that if a Canberran wins a slot they'll be more likely to pick a Canberra horse to represent them in the $2 million feature race at Royal Randwick on October 17.
A maximum of two Canberra horses are allowed to run in it, with the Keith Dryden-trained Handle The Truth the only horse from the capital to win the prestigious race.
Canberra Racing chief executive Darren Pearce thanked Racing NSW for embracing letting the capital take part.
"The Kosciuszko is amongst Racing NSW's most innovative and important races of the year and offers the hardworking participants from the country their chance to shine on the biggest stage," Pearce said.
"Our trainers dream of winning this race and we are an important part of the NSW and ACT racing ecosystem so it's great that our members and community are now eligible to draw a winning ticket and potentially pick their local hero.
"It's been seven years since a Canberra-trained horse won the Kosciuszko when Handle the Truth saluted and we are thrilled that ACT residents can now go on the journey with a local hope and potentially share in the winnings.
"We know that Gratz Vella is excited about [Black Opal winner] Music Time returning and Canberra should play a strong hand in this year's edition."
Tickets go on sale on Wednesday before closing September 7.
The ACT government expected a "windfall" from the highest tax rate in Australia, but instead it's continued to cost its coffers millions in revenue.
Responsible Wagering Australia chief executive Kai Cantwell warned the government about the 25 per cent betting operations tax driving Australians to "illegal offshore operators".
When the government ramped up the tax by five per cent in 2023, it estimated revenue would jump to $32 million - an increase of $10 million.
But it actually led to a $600,000 fall in revenue to $21.7 million.
Revised estimates saw the government raise the expected $23.7 million in the past financial year - up $1.7 million on last year - but that was still a massive $13.2 million below what was expected when it first raised the tax, also known as a point-of-consumption tax.
After initially predicting massive growth in revenue from the tax, the government's now saying growth will align "broadly with household income growth" over the next four years.
Despite its PoC tax being the highest in Australia, the ACT's the only jurisdiction where racing doesn't receive a share of it - anywhere from 20-80 per cent is returned to the industry depending on the state.
Instead, Canberra's racing industry receives an annual grant through a memorandum of understanding, which was estimated to be $8.5 million this financial year.
Cantwell warned excessive taxation could reduce expected revenue.
"The ACT government increased its tax rate expecting a revenue windfall," he said.
"Instead, the budget papers show revenue remains well below expectations and future forecasts have been revised down yet again."
An RWA report estimated Australians were betting about $4 billion with illegal offshore options.
The federal government announced in April it will crackdown on illegal offshore gambling providers as part of a range of measures, a move which Cantwell welcomed.
"Illegal offshore gambling continues to surge to almost $4 billion and is forecast to reach $5 billion by 2029," he said.
"People in the ACT have not stopped gambling.
"What we're seeing is more consumers choosing illegal offshore operators over licensed Australian providers.
"Price matters. Illegal offshore operators can offer better prices because they don't pay tax, comply with Australian regulations or invest in safer gambling protections.
"The ACT's experience shows that if governments want to protect consumers and preserve tax revenue, they need policies that strengthen the regulated market and crack down on illegal offshore gambling, not tax settings that undermine the competitiveness of licensed Australian operators."
