Group 1 champion Apache Chase is the first horse to be announced as a contender for the inaugural Mort & Co King Of The Mountain race on New Year’s Eve at Clifford Park.

Trained by Desleigh Forster, Apache Chase is no stranger to Clifford Park, having won the 2021 Audi Centre Toowoomba Weetwood and, more recently, claiming Group 1 success in the Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm before being announced Queensland Horse of the Year at the 2022 Queensland Thoroughbred Awards.

Toowoomba Turf Club Chairman Kent Woodford expressed delight at today's announcement, made by Apache Chase owner – and Mort & Co King Of The Mountain slot owner – Mike Sherrin.

"Mike is a wonderful supporter of racing in Queensland and of the Toowoomba Turf Club," Mr Woodford said.

"To have Apache Chase in the mix for the first Mort & Co King Of The Mountain is huge news – the club and the sub-committee are very excited."

TTC Chief Executive Officer Lizzy King said further announcements of runners for the 12 slots would follow in the next couple of weeks.

"There's lots of chatter and speculation on who will fill the slots," Ms King said.

"Now that we've had one announced, the others are bound to follow in quick succession."

Mr Sherrin purchased his place in the race (one of the two auctioned) at the Ray White Highfields Ballot Lunch in October and has always aimed Apache Chase for the slot.

Money raised through the two auctioned slots will be split between three charities, including Racing Queensland's Off The Track Thoroughbred program, Queensland Jockeys Association and Toowoomba charity The Lighthouse.

The other auctioned slot was purchased by the Lyndhurst Stud/Harvey Black combination.

Tickets for the Mort & Co King Of The Mountain event goes on sale on Monday, November 21, including food and beverage packages in function spaces, as well as general admission.

All guests will be treated to first-class entertainment with twilight racing, as well as music from ARIA-award winning artists GANGgajang and Thirsty Merc, as well as The Voice contestants Robbie Dolan and Jayden Sierra.