News

SHANE CRAWFORD AND RACING: A HOT SUMMER COMBINATION

27th Jan 2009

Racing Victoria - Media Release - Tuesday, 27 January 2009

Former AFL Champion, Shane Crawford, was today unveiled as the 2009 Melbourne Festival of Racing Ambassador at the picturesque Seaford Beach and immediately claimed victory in the first big race of the Festival over Group 1 jockeys Brad Rawiller and Craig Williams.

Sporting the official Melbourne Festival of Racing colours, Crawford looked the part as he teamed with former Adelaide Cup winner Pantani to out-gun stablemates Mazzacano and 2006 Australian Cup winner Roman Arch. Despite only winning by a narrow margin, Crawford left his competitors, Rawiller and Williams red-faced.

“I love my horseracing and the experience of riding with Brad and Craig was sensational. I'm really excited about the next five weeks and my role as the Melbourne Festival of Racing Ambassador,” Crawford said.

“I have been involved in the racing industry since I was 13 but my highlight as an owner has most certainly been Sphenophyta’s (trained by Lee Freedman) win in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes in 2005.

“Now I have retired from footy, I have more time to pursue my interests in horseracing. It’s a fantastic sport to be involved in.”

In his role as Festival Ambassador, Crawford will attend this Saturday’s Coolmore Lightning Stakes Day at Flemington, Pulse Pharmacy Australia Stakes Day at Moonee Valley on 14 February, T’Gallant Mornington Cup Day on 18 February and Arrowfield Stud Blue Diamond Stakes Day at Caulfield on 21 February.

The Melbourne Festival of Racing runs from this Saturday, Coolmore Lightning Stakes Day, and concludes with Family Day featuring the Blamey Stakes at Flemington on 14 March.

Along with sensational Group 1 racing, the Festival also includes supporting social and fashion events including two editions of Tuesdays@Champions with special guests Cups King Bart Cummings and reigning BMW Caulfield Cup winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy and the Beautiful Girls Fashion Lunch at Flemington.

Racing Victoria Limited Chief Executive Officer, Rob Hines said, “Attending the races over the Melbourne Festival of Racing is the perfect way to spend a day or night with family and friends.

“The Festival features high quality Group 1 racing, including opening legs of the Global Sprint Challenge and Asian Mile Challenge, which hopefully can be the springboard for Australian horses to take on the world.”

“I encourage everyone to take part in this world class Festival which symbolises everything that is great about thoroughbred racing and our fabulous city.”