News

Jockeys to salute on Anzac Day

23rd Apr 2009

Racing Victoria - Media Release - Thursday, 23 April 2009

The Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Industry will honour the ANZACs and join commemorations with jockeys sporting special ANZAC colours at race meetings across the state on Saturday.

In a joint venture between Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) and the RSL – Victoria Branch, jockeys of horses carrying the number one saddlecloth in each race will wear ANZAC colours at meetings at Flemington, Moe, Swan Hill, Avoca and Wangaratta.

The colours are predominantly khaki featuring the bronze ANZAC Rising Sun motif.

State Vice President of the RSL George Logan said, “Apart from the sacrifices of the brave men and women we sent more than 175,000 horses overseas in war time of which only one was allowed to return.

“The ANZAC Day race meetings remind us of this, embracing the sacrifices of all who served for our Nation.”

RVL’s Chief Executive Officer Rob Hines said, “The Victorian Racing Industry is proud to be supporting the RSL on ANZAC Day to commemorate those who have fought for our country.”

The ANZAC Day racing highlight will be the running of the $200,000 VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington and a famous combination could be to the fore once again.

Five months ago Cups King Bart Cummings won his twelfth Emirates Melbourne Cup with Viewed. Viewed is owned by long-time Cummings client Dato Tan Chin Nam and on Saturday, the pair will be represented by promising stayer Precedence.

They also combined to win the 2005 running of the St Leger with Accumulate.

Precedence was a last start winner of the Galilee Series Final (2390m) at Caulfield and will qualify for this year’s Melbourne Cup if successful in the St Leger.

For more information on ANZAC Day race meetings across Victoria on Saturday please visit www.racingvictoria.net.au.