VICTORIA’S 2009 Spring Racing Carnival was officially launched today in Melbourne, heralding the start of a spectacular 50 days of racing, fashion, fun and excitement across the state.
Acting Premier and Minister for Racing, Hon. Rob Hulls, joined Racing Victoria Ltd (RVL) Chief Executive, Rob Hines, to launch the Carnival which runs from today until 18 November 2009.
The launch, which was held at the White House Institute of Design, was highlighted by a dazzling performance entitled “A Day At The Carnival” and brought together racing’s elite.It also saw the winner of RVL’s Spring Carnival Spruiker competition announced with 24-year-old Tommy Little from Port Melbourne unveiled as the Carnival’s official reporter, charged with bringing the event to the people.
“We are delighted to officially launch the 2009 Spring Racing Carnival which showcases all that is great about Victoria including its love of horse racing and major events,” Mr Hines said.
“The carnival is universally recognised for its exceptional racing, great fashion, wonderful entertainment and diverse social calendar and this year will further cement its standing.
“As our marketing catchcry says, ‘it’s BIGGER than you think’, and that’s certainly the case with this year’s carnival which incorporates 89 race meetings and offers $41m in prize money.
“With over 20 country cups to be run across Victoria during the carnival, everyone in the state can share in the excitement, as too can the thousands of interstate and international visitors who descend on Victoria each year for the carnival.
“Over 750,000 people attended last year’s Spring Racing Carnival and collectively they provided more than $548m in economic benefit to the state of Victoria which further emphasises the size of this event.”
The Carnival’s marquee races are the $5.65m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3 November, Flemington), $2.5m BMW Caulfield Cup (17 October, Caulfield) and $3m Tatts Cox Plate (24 October, Moonee Valley).
It will again carry a strong international flavour with up to 11 horses from the Northern Hemisphere scheduled to compete with high profile trainers Dermot Weld, Saaed Bin Suroor and Luca Cumani returning in search of more glory.
The first meeting of the 2009 Spring Racing Carnival is at Moonee Valley this afternoon, with the first metropolitan feature being Melbourne Cup Carnival Preview Day, featuring the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes, at Flemington this Saturday afternoon.
Media Contact: Rebecca Elliott, RVL PR Co-ordinator M: 0447 581 706 P: (03) 9258 4628 E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.';document.getElementById('cloak5f54d6270a73be7822392b8495d57760').innerHTML += ''+addy_text5f54d6270a73be7822392b8495d57760+'<\/a>';