The Stephen Marsh-trained Miss Cartier was the first to become eligible for the prize when winning the NZB Insurance $10,000 Bonus Heat on June 16, with the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained Encantador claiming the second heat on June 30, and on Wednesday the Jim Collett-trained gelding Canchero collected the third heat after breaking his maiden over 1300m.

Should the winner of the final race, held on Wednesday 28 July, have also won one of the three NZB Insurance $10,000 Bonus Heats, the owners will receive a $10,000 bonus on top of the winning stake money thanks to NZB Insurance.