100 YEARS ON OWNING A SUPERSTAR VALE LES CARLYON - Racing
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ISSUE 1 2019
100 YEARS ON
THE VRC’S ROLE IN THE WAR EFFORT
OWNING A
SUPERSTAR
VALE OWNERS OF WINX TALK
LES CARLYON ABOUT WHAT IT TAKES
REMEMBERING A LEGEND
ABOVE AND
BEYOND
UP CLOSE WITH 2018 MYER
FASHIONS ON THE FIELD WINNERS
38
CONTENTS
A PARTN ERSH IP OF
TH E R ACETR ACK
A L E XU S I S A N E X P E R I E N CE O F I N S P I R E D
P E R FO R M A N CE — Muscular athleticism,
beautiful form and the finest craftsmanship are
akin to that of a racing thoroughbred. As the
Principal Partner of the Victoria Racing Club, we
are committed to the very finest performance on
6 24 28
the racetrack, and exemplary experiences off it.
4 18 Publisher: Jo King
Editor: Celia Purdey
CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME SEAHORSES VRC Managing Editor: Kelly Richardson
Training a racehorse on the beach Design: Different Drum
brings surprising benefits.
5 COVER PHOTOGRAPH
20
CEO’S WELCOME Members of the Mudgeeraba light horse troop take
part in the ANZAC dawn service at Currumbin Surf Life
6 OWNING AN ICON
We speak with the owners of world
Saving Club on April 25, 2017 in Currumbin, Australia.
Credit: Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images
LEXUS MELBOURNE CUP TOUR superstar, Winx.
The Cup hits the road once again, sharing the For all membership enquiries,
magic with everyone.
please contact VRC Customer Service
8 23 on 1300 727 575.
RIGHT ON TRACK
NEWS & EVENTS Liam O’Keeffe informs us what it takes Inside Headquarters is published
Keeping members informed. to keep our track in top condition. by the Victoria Racing Club
Limited (ACN 119 214 078).
10 24 All contents are copyright and cannot be reproduced
THE QUIET PHILANTHROPIST without the written consent of the publishers.
DESIGNED TO WIN VRC, Flemington, Melbourne Cup Carnival, and
The VRC was there at the beginning
to support Aussie troops overseas. Winning Fashions on the Field is a once Racing Rewards logos, “Melbourne Cup”, “the race
(and sometimes twice)-in-a-lifetime thrill. that stops a nation”, and “the celebration that stops
a nation” are all trademarks of Victoria Racing Club
13 Limited. Copyright of the logos and other content
26
in this magazine is owned by Victoria Racing Club
LES CARLYON AC (1942 – 2019) Limited or used under licence from third parties.
We remember a true master of his craft All rights reserved.
TALKING POINT
whose passion for racing was legendary. Photography: Photographs of members and their
Step inside The Furlong Bar on level 2 of The Club guests may be taken in Members Enclosures and
Stand for casual tapas and cool drinks.
14 may appear in Club publications and brochures.
Please advise the photographer if you do not wish
to be photographed. Photographers are asked to
THREE TIMES A WINNER
Darren Beadman reflects on not one, 28 respect members’ wishes in this regard, but any
member may nevertheless be incidentally included
not two, but three Australian Cup victories. QUEEN OF HEARTS as part of a crowd or background. VRC photography
We look back on the remarkable Black Caviar’s courtesy of Getty Images, Racing Photos, Karon
15 career achievements. Photography, Honey Gem Creative, Igor Sapina,
Gazi, Sean Fennessy and Lisa Grimm. Photograph of
Amanda Elliott on Page 6 by David Caird/Herald Sun.
RIGHT-HAND MAN
Meet Chris Barrett, jockey valet
to Australia’s top riders.
LEXUS.COM.AU
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CHAIRM AN’S WELCOME
CEO’S WELCOME
CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME CEO’S WELCOME
S T
ince my last message, we have had an extraordinary Super Saturday, the middle day, lived up to its name …. his year has already been an exciting one for the Victoria state-of-the-art synthetic track expected for completion in May.
six months filled with highlights across our course and huge crowd, stunning weather and cracking race fields, particularly Racing Club with the delivery of a successful Melbourne Approximately 600 horses utilise Flemington’s training facilities
our business. the Seppelt Wines Newmarket Handicap which most agreed was Cup Carnival in November and the Flemington Autumn every day and with training at Flemington secured for the near
Another successful Melbourne Cup Carnival is behind us, and the ‘best-ever’. Carnival just behind us. It was an opportunity to enjoy a few firsts, future it is important these facilities continue to be among the
we have recently announced a record $447.6 million in economic Now we look forward to ANZAC Day, that important traditional such as hosting the inaugural $5 million All-Star Mile, the richest finest in Australia. This new track will provide an all-weather
benefit to the Victorian economy derived from those famous four day on every Australian’s calendar, where we honour the 1600 metre event in world racing. The Club was thrilled to work surface that will enable us to hold jump outs when our grass
days of Cup Week that light Melbourne up like no other. courageous men and women who have served our nation and collaboratively with the metropolitan racing clubs and Racing training tracks are unavailable due to wet weather. This will ensure
The thrilling win by Godolphin and Cross Counter in the Lexus made sacrifices for our freedom. We regard it as a great privilege Victoria to bring The All-Star Mile to life, a unique initiative where, we continue to maintain the outstanding level of performance
Melbourne Cup was one of those highlights. In a year celebrating to have ANZAC Day on our racing schedule and like last year, will be in an exciting first, Australian racing fans were given the chance to on the racing surface on race days. The project will also deliver
25 years of international participation, on a day when 51mm of marking it with a beautiful service and commemorative racebook. determine who contested the nation’s newest feature race. environmental benefits including a reduction in the amount of
rain fell, we saw the Brits victorious for the first time ever – and Philanthropy is a value at the core of the VRC and to that end, We do hope that you enjoyed being part of this new initiative. water required to maintain the new synthetic surface compared
they had been trying for every one of those 25 years. we were thrilled to donate almost $60,000 to the National Jockeys’ The world-class Club Stand was opened at the beginning to the existing dirt track. The project is being jointly funded by
The official opening of The Club Stand leading into AAMI Trust to support injured jockeys and their families. of the 2018 Melbourne Cup Carnival and is proving to be the VRC, the Victorian Government and Racing Victoria, and we
Victoria Derby Day was a milestone moment for the VRC in its long I hope that you enjoy the outstanding winter program. We the wonderful asset to Flemington that we had hoped, with are grateful for the support for this investment which will help
history. For me personally, it was a moment of great pride and joy as have designed food, beverages and entertainment experiences attendance up 25 per cent since it opened. Unveiling the Stand maintain Victoria’s world-class position in racing.
the Club unveiled a facility that has taken everyone’s breath away. that the whole family can enjoy. I look forward to seeing you at was a thrilling milestone for the Club, as years of planning came I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members
Racing jurisdictions from all over the world have visited it, Flemington soon. to fruition. I am sure you will agree that it is a stunning venue for their ongoing support and I look forward to seeing you at
and the collective view seems to be that the VRC has not only that provides a raceday experience that is unsurpassed by any Flemington soon.
raised the bar, but has set a standard for the future of broader fan other racing venue in the nation, if not the world. It commands
engagement and the raceday experience. a powerful presence on course and its thirteen unique venues
Magnificent March at Flemington has just concluded and what provide something for everyone and are perfect backdrops to
a trifecta of racedays we had. Australian Guineas, Super Saturday enjoy a day of outstanding racing.
and The All-Star Mile on the third Saturday. The weather was With The Club Stand offering the finest in hospitality and
perfect, our numbers were up across the board, and we had the member experience, we wanted to ensure that we also maintained
Tasmanian fairy-tale filly, Mystic Journey ‘book-end’ those three our position among the finest training facilities in Australia. That
spectacular days, with victories in the Guineas and the inaugural Amanda Elliott is why the Club is pleased that our world-class training facilities Neil Wilson
running of The All-Star Mile. CHAIRMAN will receive a boost this year, with the construction of a new CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
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NEWS & EVENTS NEWS & EVENTS
N
ow in its 17th year, the Lexus Races. The Dolly’s Dream Stock Horse arrived at Castaways Beach on board an
Melbourne Cup Tour has travelled Race was the first race of the day, named outrigger canoe while skydivers landed
more than 600,000 kilometres after the charity established in Dolly’s on the sand. The show-stopping entrance
WHY THE LEXUS and visited more than 450 destinations,
providing communities with a once-in-
honour to raise awareness surrounding
bullying and cyber bullying. In a special
was the ‘pre-Cup entertainment’ for a
free public event at Castaways Resort
MELBOURNE CUP TOUR a-lifetime opportunity to experience the moment before the race, Kate, Tick and and Spa that included a tropical-themed
TOUCHES HEARTS
magic of the Lexus Melbourne Cup. Dolly’s sister Meg rode in on horseback Fashions on the Field competition and
As applications to host the Tour carrying the Lexus Melbourne Cup, the horse-themed activities.
officially open for 2019, we take a Katherine Cup and the Dolly’s Dream While in town the People’s Cup also
look at the impact that the Tour and trophy. The Lexus Melbourne Cup was visited Mission Beach Art Gallery where
THE LEXUS MELBOURNE CUP TOUR IS A UNIQUE EVENT THAT the opportunity to see that coveted also on display throughout the day, with local artists displayed art reflecting the
TAKES THE CUP TROPHY TO THE GENERAL COMMUNITY, trophy had on some of the Australian racegoers donating to Dolly’s Dream in Cup and The Great Barrier Reef. The
communities it visited in 2018. exchange for photos with the trophy. Tour also visited students at Mission
SHARING AT LARGE THE MAGIC OF THE GREAT RACE AND Kate summed up the spirit of the Beach State School, where Cup Tour
AN AUSTRALIAN CULTURAL AND SPORTING ICON. Katherine Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour when Ambassador and jockey Chris Symons
In August 2018 the People’s Cup made she said, “We belong to an amazing shared his Melbourne Cup stories.
a special visit to the outback town of community and we’re very, very grateful. The $200,000 trophy journeyed to Dunk
Katherine in the Northern Territory. It was Not only just Katherine, but the entire NT Island on the Great Barrier Reef, taking
the hometown of Amy ‘Dolly’ Everett, have been so supportive of Dolly’s Dream. in the sights of one of Australia’s most
whose untimely death at the age of 14 We’re very blessed to have the VRC on picturesque locations. Tour organiser Bryan
shook a community and a nation. As board with us and enable us to bring the was thrilled that his hard work in applying
Dolly was an avid horse lover, her parents Cup here. It’s kind of thanks from us to to host the Tour (which he described at
Tick and Kate relished the opportunity to the community of Katherine, I guess.” times as feeling like “a one-armed juggler
honour her memory with a visit from the with six balls in the air”) was worth it,
Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour. The people Mission Beach calling it an unforgettable experience.
of this remote location were thrilled to With a population of roughly 3000, the “The whole community loved it and
welcome the tour, with the Cup visiting small community of Mission Beach, people are still buzzing,” he said. “Taking
the Casuarina Street Primary School and a two-hour drive south of Cairns, the Cup to the Great Barrier Reef was also
Katherine School of the Air as well as really feels it when tragedy strikes, as a special moment.”
the Tindal RAAF Base, receiving a warm it unfortunately had in recent years.
welcome from the servicemen and One resident, Bryan Bywater thought
women stationed there. that a visit from the Lexus Melbourne TO APPLY FOR THE CUP
The Tour ambassadors and coveted Cup would be the perfect way to raise TO VISIT YOUR TOWN
trophy also enjoyed a dawn cruise at community spirit. With a successful
Go to MelbourneCupTour.com.au
Katherine Gorge, before joining more application, he and the region welcomed
than 3000 racegoers at the Katherine the Cup in a spectacular fashion, as it
HAPPY 90TH BIRTHDAY JIM JOHNSON
M
elbourne Cup-winning jockey
Jim Johnson recently celebrated
his 90th birthday. Winning
the great race on Gatum Gatum in 1963
and Rain Lover in 1968 and 1969, the
Australian Racing Hall of Fame recipient
was widely known for his vigorous riding
style. His achievements also include riding
the great Tobin Bronze to victories in the
1966 and 1967 Cox Plates and in the 1967
Caulfield Cup. A friend of Flemington for
many years, Jim is a valued member of the
Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour team whose
sense of humour is a highlight for many.
Mission Beach State School, Mission Beach. Kate and Tick Everett carrying the Lexus Melbourne Cup and Katherine Cup. Three time Melbourne Cup winning rider, Jim Johnson at one of several 150th Melbourne Cup celebrations in 2010.
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NEWS & EVENTS NEWS & EVENTS
FAMILY BISTRO IN THE VIEW JAZZ & SHIRAZ WINE & DINE SERIES
THE GRANDSTAND THE ROOF GARDEN (INDOOR) THE BYERLEY
Family Bistro in The View is especially A perfect pairing, ‘Jazz & Shiraz’ is a new With its watercolour floral seating and
designed for young families to experience experience this winter that celebrates iron filigree chandeliers, The Byerley is
winter racing together over the school great live jazz music with an extravagant the perfect setting for our new ‘Wine
holidays. The indoor playground is a perfect Shiraz wine list from across Australia. & Dine’ event series. Across a number
winter activity so our younger guests can From June to July the Roof Garden will of race days this winter, the ‘Wine &
enjoy their own special day at Flemington. be transformed into a jazz bar. With Dine Series’ will present incredible
With climbing gyms, arcade games, silent jazz musicians on stage, roving wine collections from iconic Australian
movie theatre, story time, lego den and face sommeliers to enhance the wine wineries such as Seppelt and Penfolds
painting, there’s hours of entertainment for experience and a curated food offering paired with a specially designed
you and your family to enjoy. available to match your wine, Jazz & degustation menu by Head Chef, Ryan
Shiraz is not to be missed. Flaherty. A culinary experience that is not
to be missed, and a meal to remember.
THIS WINTER TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE STUNNING
NEW CLUB STAND AND THE GRANDSTAND BOTH
WINTER WONDERS OFFERING A PLETHORA OF FOOD, BEVERAGE AND
AT FLEMINGTON
Former champion jockey, Arthur Ward (left) congratulates 1942 Melbourne Cup winning rider, Harry McCloud when receiving his Melbourne Cup miniature in Perth in 2004.
ENTERTAINMENT CHOICES FOR ALL.
VALE
I
t was with great sadness that racing a character and engaged with the Cup
lost two Melbourne Cup winning Tour on several occasions, the most
JOHN MARSHALL jockeys at the end of 2018. recent in 2014. Harry also rode Peter to
AND HARRY
John Marshall, best known for his win run second in the 1944 Melbourne Cup.
on 1999 Melbourne Cup winner, Rogan He passed away in Perth on Kennedy Oaks
McCLOUD, Josh succumbed to pancreatic cancer on
23rd December, aged 60. A gifted and
Day, 2018 at the age of 94.
TWO LEGENDS most talented rider who had a successful
OF THE TURF association with the Bart Cummings
stable, John was a great contributor to
CHRISTMAS IN JULY
THE DINING ROOM
FIRESIDE SESSIONS
IN THE LOBBY
the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour. He was a The beautifully appointed Dining Room The high-backed club chairs, fireplaces,
fine ambassador for racing and provided will this year host our annual ‘Christmas surrounded by equestrian memorabilia
strong counsel for many young riders in July’. The venue will be transformed will make the perfect cosy corner for a
in the industry. He was also known for into a winter yuletide experience day’s racing. Relaxing live music will
riding champion Beau Zam as well as
Shaftesbury Avenue, Campaign King,
complete with carollers, a special visit
from Santa and a sumptuous traditional
entertain you between races while our
waiters serve from a Lobby menu of light
ON SALE
Elounda Bay, Prolific and Trissaro. He rode
more than 2000 winners, 41 of those at
Christmas feast. Christmas comes early bites and winter drinks. TUESDAY 7TH MAY
to those who can’t wait!
Group 1 level.
Racing also recently lost Harry KEEP THE DATE CLEAR AND
McCloud, rider of 1942 Melbourne Cup CHECK THE VRC WEBSITE
RAISE THE ROOF WINTER WARMERS
winner, Colonus. Just seventeen years FOR MORE DETAILS.
THE ROOF GARDEN (INDOOR) For those keen to experience the stellar
old at the time, Harry won the first of the On Saturday 20th July the Roof Garden racing from the seats outside, comfort
wartime Melbourne Cups when Cup Day will host a comedy lounge, where some will be at hand with winter warmers
was transferred from the Tuesday to the Former champion jockey and of Melbourne’s finest comedians will provided, including snuggly throws and
Saturday during WWII. He was quite 1999 Melbourne Cup winning rider, John Marshall. have you laughing throughout the day. A hot water bottles.
ticketed event with onsale details to be
announced soon.
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FEAT UR E
THE QUIET
PHILANTHROPIST
AT THE HEART OF THE VICTORIA RACING CLUB’S VALUES IS A COMMITMENT TO MAKING
A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH DONATIONS
AND PARTNERSHIPS. THIS CULTURE OF PHILANTHROPIC GIVING GOES AS FAR BACK
AS THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR IN 1914,
WHEN THE VRC SO GENEROUSLY DONATED TO THE PATRIOTIC FUND.
BY ANDREW LEMON
W
hen war in Europe between contribute one third of the profits of the necessary would be carried out’.
Germany and Great Britain forthcoming Melbourne Cup meeting. The VRC was a not-for-profit organisation
was declared at the start of A year further on, the grim reality of with an unpaid committee. By law it was
August 1914, who could have guessed that a long, expensive war was sinking in. custodian of Flemington as a racecourse
the disaster would continue for four years VRC Chairman R.G. Casey addressed the reserve on Crown Land. As principal racing
and cost 60,000 Australian lives? VRC annual meeting in August 1915 and club it administered the rules of racing. All
The first response of authorities at the made two profound announcements. The VRC income was invested back into the
Victoria Racing Club – the principal racing committee planned to invest its reserve sport including upkeep of the racecourse. To
club in the State – came within a week of funds into the Federal Government’s forgo the surplus for the duration of the war
the outbreak of war. The Club announced war loan. Amidst applause, he said, was no meagre sacrifice.
a generous donation of £1000 to the Lord ‘We regard that as patriotism and a By the Armistice in November 1918,
Mayor’s newly established Patriotic Fund. national duty.’ the VRC could boast that it had indeed
The Australian Jockey Club, the VRC’s The Chairman then asked approval slashed costs, including prizemoney,
counterpart in Sydney, conspicuously from Members ‘to devote all profits from spending a bare minimum on maintenance.
announced it would donate ten times meetings held at Flemington to patriotic It had provided £102,000 to the war effort,
as much to a comparable fund in New and war relief funds.’ To maximise these more than any sporting institution in the
South Wales. The VRC never wanted to gifts, ‘expenses would be kept down, and nation. Evidently the club had outspent
Troops listening to the Melbourne Cup be outdone. It promptly declared it would no improvements but those absolutely even the AJC.
during WWII in Papua New Guinea.
Source: Australian War Memorial
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FEAT UR E FEAT UR E
The number of pounds donated by
the VRC in the First World War is
meaningless today unless we look at LES CARLYON AC (1942 – 2019)
equivalent values, incomes, or what you
BY ANDREW LEMON
could buy for that money.
The VRC donation was about 11 times
the 1914 value (about £9,500) of the
L
Melbourne Cup, then as now among the
richest horse races in the world. The Club es Carlyon called his book about created, amid the roses and the fashions.
cut the prize to £7,000 in 1916. legendary trainer Bart Cummings He was a special ambassador for the 150th
By standards of today, let’s multiply The Master. It was rare praise Melbourne Cup in 2010 and shared his
the $7.3 million prizemoney for the for a rare talent. passion at numerous members’ events.
2018 Lexus Melbourne Cup by 11. We Those who write about racing say the Not just an exemplary writer, Les was a
reach an equivalent figure exceeding same about Les Carlyon. In the written gifted orator. His is the spellbinding voice
$80 million for the VRC’s efforts. It was and the spoken word, finding the perfect you hear if you visit the Heritage Centre
a huge contribution. phrase on and off the turf, he was simply at Flemington, telling you of the pedigree
Two decades of peace ensued. Then in The Master. of the Melbourne Cup, “older than the
September 1939 the Second World War Any true Master remains an enigma. Kentucky Derby, older than the famous
began. It would last even longer than the You can analyse the exceptional, but soccer clubs of Europe, older than The
First. It brought anxiety and heartbreak Patients of the 115th Heidelberg Military Hospital, watching the running of the 1945 Melbourne Cup at Flemington. you can never replicate it. The Master Ashes cricket, older than the Nation of
into everyday Australian life. Identified personnel are: Lieutenant F.K. Bice (left); Captain R.L Matthews (right). Source: Australian War Memorial is an original. Australia itself”.
The Club had set itself the precedent. Les chose with precision every word It was to Les that the VRC turned
This time, without delay, the previous he wrote. His brilliance was to make his when the Club publicly honoured, in the
law in 1961, is now a traditional fixture prose look effortless. He called his popular Flemington mounting yard, the lives and
policy was resumed. Again, VRC reserve
funds went into government war loans. THE VRC HAD THEREBY featuring the classic VRC St Leger. anthology of his classic racing articles
Les Carlyon had a deep affection for racing and
particularly, racing at Flemington. racing careers of the late Roy Higgins
Through the ANZAC Day races, the
Again, all surplus income from racing at PROVIDED £102,000 VRC continues to contribute annually
True Grit – something characteristic of (2014) and Bart Cummings (2015).
Flemington would go towards patriotic every champion, and which Les equally “is that horses are interesting to look at, Where does Les Carlyon stand in the
funds, regardless of how long the conflict
TO THE WAR EFFORT, to the ANZAC Day proceeds fund, while embodied. He was a prolific writer who and I don’t just mean the matinee idols, ranks of great racing writers of Australia?
Racing Victoria materially supports the
lasted. And again, the VRC cut spending MORE THAN fund on behalf of Victoria’s racing industry
excelled in both the short and the long those with chiselled heads like So You Think In The History of Australian Thoroughbred
and abandoned building improvements. form. His late-career books Gallipoli and or Reckless. More interesting still are the Racing, I placed him unequivocally at the
It would take a further decade after the war
ANY OTHER SINGLE more widely. The Great War are testimony to that. horses that triumph despite their faulty forefront with only two others: ‘Banjo’
Who could add up this history of
to begin replacing decaying facilities and put SPORTING INSTITUTION He was inducted into both the engineering or humdrum looks. Racehorses Paterson and Adam Lindsay Gordon.
patriotic fund-raising over the past 105 Australian Racing Hall of Fame (2016) and are splendidly unscientific. The great ones In a full career, Les edited The Age
Flemington back towards its brilliant best.
IN THE NATION. years and convert it to a modern dollar the Australian Media Hall of Fame (2011). do what they shouldn’t be able to do.” (1975-76) and was editor-in-chief at the
There was no ulterior motive here.
value? What can be said for certain is that Andrew Rule – a fine journalist himself For Les, the first things you noticed Herald and Weekly Times. He twice won
Later in the war, as dangers to Australia
– even discounting funds that went into with a deep affection for racing – wrote about Kingston Town were the huge Walkley Awards for journalism, along with
itself became evident, Prime Minister John
war loans and which ultimately came back these words when welcoming Les into wither that flowed seamlessly into his the 2007 Prime Minister’s Prize for History
Curtin actively contemplated closing racing Australian Comforts Fund. A further
to the Club – the VRC quietly donated, by media pantheon. back, the slight dish in his face, a piece out for The Great War. In 2014 Leslie Allen
down altogether, but the VRC decision to £100,000 went into war loans.
today’s values, at least $165 million over “The trouble with Les Carlyon is that of the off ear and a ridge of scar tissue Carlyon received the Companion of the
donate its profits to patriotic funds was The Melbourne Cup prizemoney in
the course of the two world wars alone. it’s impossible to turn a line about him – or across the muzzle. The great sprinter Order of Australia (AC) ‘for eminent service
made long before that. Rivette’s year, 1939, was £10,000. The
An effort worth honouring. anything else – that he couldn’t do twice as Manikato was a hulking lump of a horse, to literature through the promotion of
The committee under chairmen Sir official VRC donation over the six years of
Alan Currie (a First World War veteran) the Second World War was 11.7 times the well in half the time.” imperious, a loner, quick to take offence. the national identity as an author, editor
and Richard Turnbull were no less patriotic value of the Cup. Applying our comparison His insights into racing resonated with The horses were people you might meet, and journalist, to the understanding and
than R.G. Casey. They were determined with today’s values, it translates to $85 million. those who knew the sport inside out, yet as real to Les as Vic Rail, Tommy Woodcock, appreciation of Australia’s war history, and
that, whatever the difficulties, racing must Much more was given in kind. In both he had the rarest talent of communicating Gai Waterhouse. to the horseracing industry.’
continue at Flemington. In the spirit of wars the VRC admitted soldiers, sailors, about racing with readers who never went There was no wishful thinking here. This last phrase would have brought
‘keeping the home fires burning’, Currie airmen and nurses in uniform free of to the track, who took no real interest in Racing he knew was “this glorious, awful, him wry amusement. The best tribute we
and Turnbull and their Sydney counterparts charge to Flemington. At Cup time in 1943 the sport. fortune-making, heart-breaking sport”. Les can pay to Les Carlyon, the one that would
successfully argued that the best-loved alone, this amounted to 8,000 free tickets. Les understood racing from every described Black Caviar, at the end of her gladden his heart, would be to pick up his
traditions of life in Australia should be kept And portions of the racecourse grounds angle, if anyone truly can. He treasured the unbeaten career, “as a once-in-a-lifetime horse books, again, and start reading. Laugh and
alive – not least for the men on the front. and stands were given over to the RAAF for history and relished the moment. Almost who made racing look better than it is. Seldom cry at his stories. “Racing,” he said, “tends
When it was all over, the VRC released training purposes. But that is another story. unobserved, he got inside the minds has a sporting career ended so sublimely.” to make fools of those who take it too
official figures. This time the Club’s The VRC continues to honour the of jockeys, trainers, owners, strappers, At Flemington, Les will always hold a seriously.” He added, “During a lifetime
war-time contribution was £117,502, sacrifices of all who have served the nation punters, horse lovers. special place. It was simply his favourite misspent at racecourses I have never had
distributed between the official Patriotic in time of conflict. Flemington’s ANZAC Above all, he got into the minds of horses. racecourse. Each year, in autumn and anyone come up to me and say, ‘God, I
1916 VRC Racebook featuring a call for donations in
Fund, the Australian Red Cross and the Day meeting, first authorised under State support of the War. Source: Australian Racing Museum “One of my beliefs,” Les recently wrote spring, he relished the stories that it enjoyed watching the industry today.”
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FEAT UR E
FEAT UR E
Saintly 1997
Alister Simpson Victoria
Racing Club Collection
RIGHT-HAND
THREE TIMES A WINNER MAN
CHAMPION JOCKEY DARREN BEADMAN REMEMBERS HIS THREE AUSTRALIAN CUP VICTORIES,
WITH HIS WIN ON LONHRO IN 2004 NOT ONLY HIS FAVOURITE, BUT ALSO ONE OF THE MOST
MEMORABLE IN THE RACE’S LONG AND DECORATED HISTORY.
BY MICHAEL MANLEY
D
arren Beadman can boast that his “Going into the race I knew it wasn’t
three Australian Cup wins came going to be easy. When you ride a horse
on three of the legends of the turf. of that calibre you know every other rider Chris Barrett, ‘Valet to the Stars’,
preparing for another busy day at the
His first two winners were on the Bart in the race is watching your every move office. Photo by Igor Sapina.
Cummings-trained champions: Let’s Elope and trying to beat you.” At the 250m mark
in 1992 and then four years later, on Saintly Lonhro was checked and was involved in
in 1996. another scrimmage as Beadman tried to
His last one was on the champion find galloping room. Meanwhile, three- IT IS A JOB THAT REQUIRES HARD WORK, LONG HOURS, A FIRM KNOWLEDGE OF
Lonhro, for John Hawkes, in a memorable year-old Delzao sailed past him and looked RACING AND PRECISE ATTENTION TO DETAIL, BUT CHRIS BARRETT RELISHES HIS ROLE
2004 Australian Cup. “I’m proud to say set for an easy victory until Beadman
I won three Australian Cups. It’s one of finally found space with 150m left and
AS JOCKEY VALET TO SOME OF THE TOP RIDERS IN AUSTRALIA.
Australia’s greatest weight-for-age races.” set out after Delzao, grabbing him close
BY KEITH HILLIER
Let’s Elope and Saintly both had easy wins to the line.
F
in the Australian Cup, winning by three and Beadman wasn’t sure what the
a half lengths and two and a half lengths outcome was, but also knew he was on ormer NSW jockey Chris Barrett had He worked only on race days with his racing, while in Melbourne Vincent (Vin)
respectively. Lonhro was a different story, a champion who had a remarkable will ridden more than 800 winners when first clients – Mick Dittman, Shane Dye Mills is valet to Craig Williams and Damien
though. His winning performance after to win. “When we got out he stretched he retired from the saddle about and the late Johnny Marshall, who was his Oliver. Barrett, who left school at 15 to
being blocked in until 150m to go is still every muscle to pass him to win. Not 20 years ago. He then moved into a job brother-in-law. become an apprentice said being a former
regarded as one of the most astonishing many horses could pick up like he did and at Qantas, where he was employed for It was an occupation that had not been jockey was a major advantage as he knew
wins at Flemington of all time. overcome such difficulties to win.” 15 years. tested in Australia, yet was an element what was required for a job that has no
It’s no surprise that Beadman said it That was Beadman’s tenth Group 1 win But, probably like every retired jockey of racing in Europe, America, Hong Kong, formal training.
was the most memorable of his Australian on Lonhro, with the horse only having two before him, he missed his racing life and Singapore and Japan. Barrett, 61, is now a full-time valet for
Cup wins. It wasn’t just the get-out-of-jail more starts after that before retiring in the friends within it. He searched for a way The title ‘valet’ is centuries old, but still Hugh Bowman (the first of the current crop
style of the win that made it special, but TOP Let’s Elope, 1992 Alister Simpson April 2004. “We had a great partnership. It to return, even part time. vague. One definition described a valet as to use Barrett’s services), Kerrin McEvoy,
Victoria Racing Club Collection
also because it was on his favourite horse BOTTOM Lonhro, 2004 Joseph Zbukvic was great riding for Crown Lodge and the Soon Barrett found the perfect job: “a gentleman’s personal male servant”. James McDonald, Tommy Berry, Brenton
of all time. Victoria Racing Club Collection Inghams and for John Hawkes.” he became Australia’s first jockeys’ valet. There is still no other valet in NSW Avdulla and Tim Clark.
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FEAT UR E FEAT UR E
BARRETT IS IN CONTROL OF EVERY PIECE OF GEAR
FOR HIS JOCKEY TEAM. HE DRIVES TO RACETRACKS
AND CARRIES EACH SET OF GEAR INTO THE
JOCKEYS’ ROOM, AS EARLY AS TWO HOURS BEFORE
THE FIRST RACE.
Barrett limits his client list to six Australia. Barrett is happy to assist the past), non-slip rubber for heavier saddles,
jockeys, though he will occasionally take in visiting international riders who are lead bags, vest plates and riding boots
‘substitutes’ if one or more of his jockeys accustomed to a valet service in their (two or three pairs for each meeting).
are not riding. The demand for more valets own countries, for while they add to his Barrett said he considered it a big
is low as most jockeys cannot afford the workload, they do usually have brief riding responsibility to have everything the
service, unless they have a reasonable book commitments in Australia. jockeys might need and he packs their
of rides and are winning the big races. As noted by James McDonald, Barrett’s bags according to the allotted weights
Kerrin McEvoy who is lucky enough to most meticulous clients are Hugh Bowman of their mounts.
utilise Barrett’s services notes that having a and Kerrin McEvoy, with Barrett confiding He lays out the gear for each jockey
valet is invaluable for a busy jockey to make that Bowman has his gear for riding Winx before each race and puts together the
Chris with one of his key clients,
their race days run smoothly. “It is so much locked away until race day. This is separate gear for the next race while they are riding. Dwayne Dunn.
easier for me to focus on my job,” gear just for Winx alone – including a Barrett has no spare time in the Photo by Igor Sapina.
he said. special saddle that is the “right weight” for jockeys’ room on raceday. He is constantly
Hugh Bowman believes that the most the champion mare, and her own girth, scrubbing or polishing gear (a task made
important benefit to having a jockey valet surcingle and breastplate. more demanding on wet-track days) and as a jockey himself. He knew the jockeys’ outsider Chester Field, followed by Bright
is not having to worry about his race gear. Being a jockey valet is a demanding job. washing and drying the two or three pair room rules (including no phones being Brigand and then Rumour Qui in the HOOFNOTE:
“I am very particular about the cleanliness Barrett is in control of every piece of gear of silks that his jockeys use each meeting. allowed) and he already had the respect of Tatts Plate. Barrett’s full name is
of my raceday gear and Chris is extremely for his jockey team. He drives to racetracks At the end of the day he packs his station stipendiary stewards. In 1984 he rode in Japan in the Norman Christopher Barrett.
thorough. I used to clean my gear long after and carries each set of gear into the wagon with a dozen or more pair of His life has really been all about International Jockey Series and was runner- He rode as N.Barrett but was
the last race, but having a valet means I jockeys’ room, as early as two hours before silks, the shirts that jockeys wear under racing. He joined popular trainer Meggs up in a race in Tokyo. always known as Chris to avoid
can just have a shower and walk out of the the first race. His team of jockeys carry their silks and the rest of the gear he had Elkington at his Caulfield stables as a In 1986 he broke his collarbone in a fall confusion with his father,
racecourse,” he said. nothing into or out of a racecourse. brought to the track. 15-year-old and became his apprentice. at Caulfield and was sidelined for a year. who was also named Norman.
James McDonald said it was unheard He sets up the gear in the jockeys’ room The day’s work is virtually non-stop His salary was $10 a week with a yearly He returned to race-riding teaming up with
of in his homeland of New Zealand to have and, on average, each jockey will have four because his jockey team is comprised of increase of $3 a week. At the end of his the talented Vitalic for the Elkington Stable
a valet, so he enjoys Barrett’s assistance or five saddles (the lightest is 200 grams top riders who have a riding commitment apprenticeship he was earning $20 a week. in 1988 finishing second in the Blue Diamond
immensely. “I’m not as particular as and the heaviest 1.8 kilograms) to suit in most races on the program. When Elkington moved to Geelong, Stakes. He moved to Sydney in 1991 and
Hugh and Kerrin [with my gear], but it is different weighted horses throughout Barrett’s job can be hard and labour Barrett became his stable rider and the rode with success at many NSW tracks.
comforting to see my gear out and ready to the day. Bowman, for example, has two intensive, but he respects the demands partnership continued for 20 years. He Barrett rode in two Melbourne Cups
use when I arrive at the races,” he said. saddles of each weight. of his riders because each is a perfectionist and was the first jockey to ride four winners and, although unplaced in both, still
Some of the world’s top jockeys – The champion jockey also has, under takes pride in the cleanliness of what they are on a Kilmore raceday when he was an considers them his greatest thrill in racing.
including Joao Moreira, Zac Purton, Ryan Barrett’s care, two girths, two surcingles, wearing and the polished gear on their mounts. apprentice, riding at 46kg. Settled in Sydney with his wife Trish, Barrett’s
Moore and William Buick – are valet clients light foam packing for under the saddles Transitioning into the role of valet was In July 1981, Barrett rode a treble passion for his job is only beaten by that for
of Barrett when they ride anywhere in (towels are no longer used like in the smooth for Barrett, due to his past career at Flemington – starting with the 50-1 his family, especially his three grandsons.
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FEAT UR E FEAT UR E
Horses seen doing beach
work at Thirteenth beach.
(Photos by Jaimee van Leerdam)
SEA HORSES
THE PHYSICAL BENEFITS OF TRAINING A HORSE AT THE BEACH ARE MANY,
BUT IT’S ALSO GREAT FOR A HORSE’S OVERALL WELLBEING. WE TAKE A LOOK
AT THE ADVANTAGES OF BEACH WORK.
BY MICK SHARKIE
“IT’S LIKE A DAY
OFF FOR THEM
(THE HORSES),
JUST LIKE WHEN
WE HAVE A DAY
AT THE BEACH.”
foreshore in Melbourne’s south-eastern “We’ve probably got two or three seen horse’s behaviour and attitude change
bayside region marks the presence of training exercises we use at the beach and after just one trip to the beach.
racehorses along that stretch of coast for we can do just about anything up to even- “The mental impact is the big one,”
more than 100 years. time work with them,” he explained. he said.
Mordialloc beach was at its peak in “That’s really important because it’s “It’s like a day off for them (the horses),
terms of horse traffic when the now very hard for a horse to be injured or go just like when we have a day at the beach.
defunct Epsom training centre was in unsound working on the beach. The more We try to mix up the work as much as
operation up until 1997, but more recently they can do on it, the less likely they are to possible but when you’re training horses
it was the early morning cool-down spot have a physical problem, so the space at at a city track environment, but they can
O
for Australia’s unbeaten champion sprinter Thirteenth Beach is a big benefit. still get that mental fatigue. You can see a
n beaches around Australia each O’Brien has witnessed the benefits of four years after we bought it, but after Black Caviar, with Peter Moody sending “We’ve only recently started to work horse is happy at the beach. Wading in
morning thoroughbreds can be beach training over the last decade at his ten years (of operation) I can definitely say the great mare to Mordialloc from on some deep-sand training programs for the water, having a casual gallop or canter
found wading, cantering and Connewarre property just outside of Barwon it has been worth the time and effort,” Caulfield most mornings after a track our horses,” said O’Brien. “It’s a great heart on the sand – it’s a great environment
galloping, blowing away the cobwebs Heads on Victoria’s surf coast. The expansive said O’Brien. gallop, unbeknown to many early morning and lung workout and it’s low impact. They for them.”
of a busy preparation or building towards shores of Thirteenth Beach are within cooee Danny O’Brien had a vision to create walkers or swimmers. don’t go quickly, and you know their joints And a great environment for staff and
a peak performance. of his stable door and O’Brien has used the the best private horse training facility in Altona beach at the top end of Port are supported. It really brings them on.” owners as well.
As the late hall-of-fame trainer George environment as a haven for his racing team. Australia and here is the result. Phillip Bay is also a favourite post-work A wade or rush through the water “You feel happy watching them work
Hanlon once famously said, “horses A long-time Flemington tenant, “Obviously there are plenty of benefits wading site for many Flemington- concludes most beach training sessions there, and I know our staff there really
are only human”, and when it comes to O’Brien bought the 160-acre property to having a secondary training property trained gallopers. with the cool salt water drawing out any enjoy working them on the beach – it’s
the pleasures of salt-water therapy, it in 2005 to give his horses the chance to either in the country or at the beach, For O’Brien, the space afforded by aches and heat and rejuvenating the legs, good for everyone.”
seems Hanlon’s comparison couldn’t mix their work between the hustle and but the beach offers such a unique Thirteenth Beach meant that his horses much in the same way that professional “I think in its simplest sense, most
ring more true. bustle of Flemington and a quieter rural environment for the horses to escape to could complete just about any work sports teams use salt water as part of people can relate to why it works.”
“You can see a horse is happy working environment; access to a beach had always as well as work.” that he set for them. From rehabilitation their post-match rehabilitation program.
at the beach; it’s an escape for them, a day been a central aspect of his plan. Incorporating beach training into a to gallops at even time, the beach was The physical benefits are obvious, but less
out. They’re not unlike us in that way,” said “It took a little while to develop the thoroughbred campaign is not a new trend the perfect accompaniment to the sand apparent at first glance is the mental impact Follow us on VRC Members
trainer Danny O’Brien. place and we started working horses there in Victoria. A statue on the Mordialloc and turf tracks at Connewarre. of beach training and to that end, O’Brien has
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FEAT UR E
OWNING AN ICON
Winx is described by her owners as ‘an independent soul’. Friends Peter Tighe and Debbie Kepitis celebrate Winx’s win at the 2018 Seppelt
Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.
Kepitis admits momentarily thinking Away from the racetrack, Kepitis
Winx would get beaten several times, describes Winx as an “independent soul”
especially in the 2018 Turnbull Stakes at “SHE SEEMS TO who likes to go about her business.
Flemington when caught behind a wall of “In the early days she didn’t want to be
BE ABLE TO DEFY
horses, but then marvelling at her uncanny brushed and she just pushed them [Umut
ability to find extra gears and prevail. THE ODDS AND and Candice] off, but she was never nasty
“In the Turnbull when she was caught about it. She is a really happy and content
KEEP WINNING.”
behind everything it was like, ‘Oh my gosh, horse who doesn’t want a lot of affection,
this is going to be it [the time she loses] we doesn’t want a lot of cuddles or pats or
better just think about this and just watch anything like that, but if she’s in the mood
it. It’s fine, it doesn’t matter, she has done for it, she’ll let you nuzzle up next to her
her job and we’re just pleased that she’s and that’s a beautiful feeling.”
WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE TO OWN THE WORLD’S BEST HORSE?
alright’. And then she just steps out and “They weren’t involved initially but as Now a seven-year-old mare, Winx, who
DEBBIE KEPITIS AND PETER TIGHE SHARE THEIR JOURNEY. comes home,” said Kepitis. things have gone along they’ve grown into was recently voted the world’s most popular
It’s a feeling Tighe has become familiar it and loved the excitement and thrill of racehorse by winning the Secretariat Vox
BY ROB FEDELE having a horse of this magnitude; they’re
with while watching his mare grow into a Populi Award, is nearing retirement.
F
superstar. involved in the story and we want them to “In my heart I think she loves racing so
riends Peter Tighe and Debbie Kepitis Tighe, who races about 60 horses with soundly conquered on both occasions by the “It’s gone to a new level and I don’t be involved. We want our family to enjoy much that I don’t want to stop her racing
had been racing horses together for his wife Patty, jokes his role in choosing John Thompson trained First Seal. Winx’s know how many levels it can go to,” he her and let them see it for what it is and if that’s really where her heart wants to
several years when they fronted up to Winx amounted to doing the bidding. “We next five starts would yield three unplaced reflects. “We look back very fondly on what how great racing can be.” be. But look, we’ll just have to let her talk,”
the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in bought her on the prospect that she’d runs, a second, and culminate with victory she’s done and the achievements she’s Kepitis, who owns shares in about 30 Kepitis said.
2013, dreaming of finding the next champion. furnish into a nice middle-distance staying in the Group 1 ATC Australian Oaks (2400m) made but the most recent achievement horses, racing many with her brothers When the curtain does fall, both Tighe
Tighe, who runs Magic Bloodstock type of horse and lo and behold that’s before she was given a freshen up. (four Cox Plates) probably hasn’t sunk in and sister, is still pinching herself over the and Kepitis acknowledge there will be
Racing with wife Patty, and Kepitis, the what happened.” This is when the penny dropped, with yet,” Tighe said last year, a month after enormity of what has unfolded. a hole without Winx in the spotlight
daughter of late chicken king Bob Ingham It’s a colossal understatement, with Winx returning in 2015 to take out the the milestone. “She seems to be able “It still feels totally surreal. Kingston but trust their vast racing interests will
who experienced the dizzying highs of Winx evolving into the undisputed queen Sunshine Coast Guineas and kick off to defy the odds and keep winning. We Town’s record has stood for a long time keep them occupied, not to mention the
racing through the feats of Octagonal and of the Australian turf who now boasts her winning streak. Kepitis considers have a great build-up before each race, a and to equal it was absolutely wonderful, prospect of her progeny to look forward to.
Lonhro, whittled down the crop of yearlings a winning streak of 32 races, 24 of them the barnstorming last-to-first victory spectrum of feelings and things like that, and then the prospect of her going on “I don’t like to dwell on it too much.
and prepared to open their wallets. Group 1s (as at 24 March 2019). the moment she knew the horse “had but after the race you can sort of look at and racing in a fourth Cox Plate was just I think it’s just amazing to have watched
The pair, who own a third of Winx But her future dominance was something special”. it and go, ‘I don’t know what we were all a dream. But for Chris Waller and his the progression of her and to have been
along with racing acquaintance Richard unimaginable during her early career, Watching Winx’s heroics on the worried about’ because she just goes and wonderful team, farriers, vets, the kids part of this unbelievable magic carpet ride,”
Treweeke, inspect all their purchases but where Winx was highly promising but by racetrack triggers a rollercoaster of does what she likes doing.” that work with her constantly, [strappers] said Kepitis.
place their faith in bloodstock agent Guy no means exceptional. emotions, she says. “It’s quite tense. It’s Tighe, who fell in love with racing of all Umut Odemislioglu and Candice Persijn,
Mulcaster, who liked a bay Street Cry filly After winning her first three starts, Winx quite stressful. But none of that makes a codes as a teenager, counts sharing Winx for them to get her to be maintained,
out of New Zealand mare Vegas Showgirl finished second twice in 2014 in Randwick difference on race day with her. She just with his family, including two sons and a healthy, fit, and get to a fourth Cox Plate
that would fetch $230,000. His choice that features the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes, then goes out and does the job that she knows daughter, as one of the most satisfying was enormous. So winning it was Follow us on VRC Members
day would change their lives. the Group 1 Flight Stakes, where she was and loves and does so well.” parts of the journey. just unbelievable.”
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I N S I D E H E A D Q UA RT E R S I S S U E 1 2 0 1 9 21At the Herald Sun
our commitment is to you.
We’re for the excitement of our
major sporting, entertainment
and cultural events. RIGHT ON TRACK
We're for our city being an
W
e recently caught up with renovate the track, we wouldn’t have raced
Liam O’Keeffe, Senior Manager Melbourne Cup Day. All races would have
international destination for of Flemington Racecourse
about what it takes to maintain our
been abandoned!
It was unbelievable to see the recovery
world-class track. on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day after so
thoroughbred racing. In your role, you’re charged with
maintaining the quality, condition and
much rain…
It was, and not a lot of people would
upkeep of our world-famous track. think about it, but to me it just comes
You oversaw extensive renovations back to renovation, and how everything
We're for celebrating when last year. Can you give us an overview of
what was undertaken?
we’re doing is working really well. People
wouldn’t know that if we didn’t do this
We mow the track down to 60mm, sweep sort of work, we wouldn’t have raced –
fashion meets fast fields. up the grass, and then hollow tine core the
track at 80 x 80mm spacings to a depth
simple as that!
Was the rebuild completed with the
just below the thatch. We sweep up the current sand approach?
cores and remove them, then top dress the Our track was rebuilt in 2006, and with
We're for capturing the joy, track with the exact same sand that is in
the track currently. We then verti-drain the
How long did the project take to complete
in its entirety? What were the major
the rebuild we brought in the sand that
was able to withstand heavy rainfall and
entire track to a depth of 190mm, brush milestones within that? it’s why we race on good tracks almost all
drama, glitz and glamour. the sand into those holes, oversow the
track with Perennial Ryegrass and Kentucky
On the Sunday we mow it down and remove
the running rail. The renovation is done in
year round.
What’s it like to stand back at the
Bluegrass and then fertilise according to 48 hours on Monday and Tuesday with the beginning of the Carnival, and see all that
our soil reports. Finally we irrigate and let contractors, and we fertilise late on Tuesday you and your team have achieved?
We're for taking you trackside the track rest from there and recover.
How often would you undertake major
works such as this?
afternoon. Then water Tuesday night and
let it recover for a month.
What were you aiming to achieve when
Melbourne Cup Day was one of those
once-every-ten-year events that you can
get with extreme weather. So to see the
and inside the birdcage. Every six months following both our
Carnivals – so straight after our November
undertaking this work? How did you know
if you were successful?
ground staff work so hard over the week
to get the track back to a state where we
Carnival and straight after our March We renovate the track to ensure first of actually had to irrigate it the night before
Autumn Carnival we conduct a full all it can continue to drain well. And what Stakes Day – that was unbelievable. Taking
We’re for Melbourne. renovation on the course proper.
With so much ground to cover (literally)
what was the scale of the project?
stops it draining well and also what inhibits
good regrowth is the thatch layer in the
turf. That’s what we aim to reduce or
the moment in, the hard work we’ve done,
I always try to stand in front of the stands
before the Cup to really get a feel of the
We engage contractors for renovation maintain at each renovation period. crowd as the horses are moving in to the
works – it takes 10 semi trailers to bring Our thatch levels or root depth are put barriers, it’s certainly a big buzz and then
more than 25 machines to renovate up on a graph to see how renovations are it’s quiet and you get goose bumps. That
the track in 48 hours. There’s 12 people working and if we need to adjust anything sort of period there really makes the job
Online | Apps | Paper
operating the machines and 300 cubic to correct any imbalances. The thatch (can) worthwhile – I couldn’t be happier with
metres of sand top dressed on to the track. slow down your drainage, so if we didn’t how the Carnival went.
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DESIGNED TO WIN
Rebecca Share’s award-winning piece
away, I entered the WA state Myer FOTF in
at Myer Fashions on the Field.
2014 and won. Upon my return to Perth I (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
put everything into starting my own label.”
Kate prides herself on creating a strong
REWARD AND RECOGNITION ARE BYPRODUCTS OF THE MELBOURNE CUP feminine structure that all sizes can wear,
CARNIVAL FOR SUCCESSFUL CONNECTIONS OF WINNING HORSES, BUT THEY ARE and it was this aesthetic that caught the
judges’ eyes on competition day. “I wanted
ALSO FELT ON THE CATWALK IN THE FAMED MYER FASHIONS ON THE FIELD ENCLOSURE a very structured strong piece with a touch
WHERE DREAMS CAME TRUE FOR TWO TALENTED DESIGNERS IN 2018. of softness,” said Kate. “So the very tailored
bodice had lots of strong panelling in it.
BY CELIA PURDEY
The skirt was a play on the old bubble skirt,
but was made with an activewear mesh
and filled with tulle to give it more body.”
She also added a bespoke and handmade
touch, painting the Tony Bianco shoes
herself as the shape of the shoe mimicked
the design so well.
Kate’s win came from a place of artistic
talent, but also research and hard work.
From following and watching the FOTF
competition for years, she believed that
Kate Watts, Emerging Designer Award outfits with a strong structure stood out,
Winner at Myer Fashions on the Field. which was fortunate as the look aligned in 2013 and runner-up in 2014. She has based Rebecca who creates up to 100-200
(Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
perfectly with her design style. The outfit even held the position of judge in the same pieces per season. “More than my busy
was more than a year in the planning, event, as well as many other Fashions on little fingers can handle!” she exclaimed.
with the fabric purchased with the 2018 the Field events throughout Australia. Her clients are drawn to her signature
competition in mind. It was also a team As well as a successful milliner with style that has developed over the years
effort, with Kate’s production team her own label since 1997, Rebecca also and to the simplistic drama of her designs.
impressing her with their skills and hard has a range of hat blocks and is a millinery “Some of my designs scream ‘look at me’,
work in constructing the garment as soon teacher, where she shares her passion for but in a sophisticated, contemporary way,”
as Kate learned she had been accepted into the art with students. said Rebecca.
the competition. These skills as well as the Winning the 2018 Millinery Award Within all of this custom work, Rebecca still
well thought out design were something for the second time was a testament to found 30 hours to make to make the exquisite
that Kate thinks helped her seal the win, Rebecca’s talent and vision, and a nod winning headpiece, using the materials in a way
believing the judges appreciated the flow to her standing in the industry and the that hasn’t been done before. “Design for me is
of the entire outfit from top to bottom. respect of her peers is something that pushing and developing my technical skills, so I
Although already popular with she finds priceless. She believes that her allowed the millinery wire to organically shape
R
racegoers for creating custom outfits that stunning winning piece stood out due to into a sculptural form which produced a design
enowned as the ultimate style Emerging Designer Award Winner “Refocusing the competition on rising suit the racing rules of fashion as well the ruby red colour, but also the sculptural that appeared to be weightless.”
contest in Australia, Myer Fashions Kate Watts, Only One Ashley talent provides a wonderful opportunity as being very wearable, Kate is sure to shape that circled the head and came to With a style rooted in structured,
on the Field has showcased local The Fashions on the Field competition has for designers to showcase their incredible become even busier in 2019 with this new rest on the dress. “My millinery designs contemporary drama and designed with
fashion and talent since 1962. A major had many changes throughout the years to creations on a national stage,” she said. title added to her name. tend to go against the grain, and in taking a the confident woman in mind, we can
initiative of the Carnival that year was to keep it fresh and relevant, and its latest is Applicants were invited to submit a risk with this headpiece it certainly grabbed be sure to see Rebecca Share’s millinery
encourage more women to come to the even more indicative of the level of prestige portfolio of work and were then selected Kate’s top three racing fashion tips the judges’ attention,” said Rebecca. adorning heads at Flemington for some
races, the competition offered prizes of a and regard it is held in. The Designer to showcase their designs during the 1. Be bold in design and colour. Constructed using three core materials: time to come.
return trip to England worth £1400 and Award, an integral part of Fashions on the Carnival, making the victory even more 2. Don’t show too much skin. millinery wire to form the structural shape,
a Ford Falcon valued at £1450 – generous Field since 2005 was revamped in 2018 sweet for the eventual winner, Kate Watts 3. Add a modern-day twist to your outfit. vintage foundation netting and Swiss braid,
prizes for entering in an outfit that was to to become the Emerging Designer Award. of label Only One Ashley. Hailing from Rebecca’s aim was to design a piece that Rebecca’s top three millinery tips
cost a maximum of £50, or an ensemble This enabled the award to focus on up- Perth, Kate was thrilled to be chosen as one Millinery Award Winner appeared to be floating off the head. “As I 1. Your hat should not ‘wobble’ on
up to £30. Since its modest beginnings, the and-coming designers and provide them of the 10 national finalists let alone to win Rebecca Share, Rebecca Share Millinery played with the shaped wire, it soon evolved your head.
competition has gone on to become the with a national platform to showcase their the coveted award. Her label’s name is a No stranger to the Myer Fashions on the into a sculptural piece that incorporated a 2. Larger headpieces should not
country’s grandest fashion prize, not only creations. VRC EGM Customer Engagement dedication to the memory of her daughter Field winner’s sash, Rebecca Share was no brooch explosion on the dress.” appear heavy to wear.
for the fabulous prizes offered, but the Caroline Ralphsmith said the change to Ashley, who she tragically lost in 2009. less excited to win the esteemed award With a booming business, spring racing 3. N
o, your boyfriend doesn’t look
recognition and exposure that it brings to the award encouraged emerging designers This meant that the win was even more for the second time in 2018, following her season is where she focuses all of her good wearing your headpiece!
its winners. to display their talent to a wide audience. significant. “After my daughter passed 2011 first place, second runner-up placing energy and it is always busy for Geelong-
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I N S I D E H E A D Q UA RT E R S I S S U E 1 2 0 1 9 25You can also read
