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Four feature races – the two editions of the
Group 3 AAMI Blue Diamond Previews, the Listed BigPond Zeditave Stakes and
Listed Kevin Hayes Stakes – headline a very special Australia Day meeting at
Classic Caulfield on Wednesday.
Following the tragic events of the Asian tsunami disaster on Boxing Day, the
Australian Racing Industry declared Wednesday January 26 a national
fundraising raceday to assist the relief effort.
Caulfield is one of 17 racecourses holding
fixtures around the nation on Australia Day and the Melbourne Racing Club
has extended its list of special on-course attractions which include:
Australiana-themed activities including
sheep shearing and cooper displays;
Animal farm & Pony rides;
Australian flag and showbag giveaways;
Jockeys of top-weighted horses carrying
Australian silks
National Anthem performance by 12-year-old
Davis Tolley of Robinvale, winner of the State competition;
Around 40 craft market stalls;
Musical entertainment continuing after the
last race until 7pm;
The Melbourne Racing Club has aligned with
the Australian Red Cross Asian Quake & Tsunamis Appeal for its Australia Day
effort.
Special fundraising initiatives planned for
the day include collection tins on course and charity auction items
including “money can’t buy” experiences. Racegoers will be able to view the
auction items on course and lodge bids at the Raceday Office. The auction
will continue online at www.graysonline.com.au
until 5pm on January 31.
A special entry coupon appearing in the
Herald Sun on Tuesday 25 January and Wednesday 26 January will provide fee
entry to Classic Caulfield on Wednesday and the Melbourne Racing Club will
be donating $2 to the Tsunami appeal fund for every person through the gate
including Members. The standard entry price for patrons on Wednesday without
the Herald Sun coupon is $12 for adults, $8 concession and free for children
under 18 accompanied by an adult.
The Club has already raised almost $5,500
through collections taken by the Rotary Club of Glen Eira at the Rubiton
Stakes meeting on January 8 as a pre-cursor to the Australia Day effort.
On-course patrons will be asked to observe a minute’s silence in respect of
the tsunami victims at 11.59am.
In keeping with the co-operative spirit of
the occasion, the Melbourne Racing Club has also extended reciprocal
membership privileges to Victoria Racing Club and Moonee Valley Racing Club
Members at Wednesday’s meeting.
On the track, Caulfield trainer Mick Price
will be seeking his third successive win in the fillies division of the
$126,500 AAMI Blue Diamond Preview. Price prepared World Peace to victory
last year and trifectaed the race in 2003 with Halibery, Gaelic Princess and
Roedean.
This year his hopes rest with Moon Fever and
Special Package, who finished third and fourth respectively behind Seidnazar
on Cox Plate Day last October in their only racetrack appearances to date.
Price also has unraced duo Line Account and Mugwump engaged in the colts and
geldings division of the AAMI Blue Diamond Preview.
Amongst the rivals to Moon Fever and Special
Package in the fillies division is the Tony McEvoy –trained Langness, a
daughter of Danehill and the former star sprinter Isca. The blueblood filly
was bred and raced by the Swettenham Stud Syndicate, managed by Adam
Sangster.
Co-incidentally, British-born Adam is
scheduled to undertake his Australian Citizenship Ceremony with the Hon.
Peter McGauran MP, Australian Government Minister for Citizenship and
Multicultural Affairs in the Mounting Yard immediately following the race
presentation, which would become a dual celebration should Langness be
successful.
Whilst the AAMI Blue Diamond Previews will be
a helpful form pointer towards the $1 million AAMI Blue Diamond Stakes at
Classic Caulfield on February 26, much interest will also surround
Wednesday’s other racing highlights which include the clash of promising
three-year-olds Not A Single Doubt, Tirade, Danehill Express, Chut and
Bolshy in the $100,500 BigPond Zeditave Stakes and the return of Oaks
winning filly Hollow Bullet in the $100,500 Kevin Hayes Stakes.
MRC Media Release Published 24/01/05
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