Spring Racing Carnival Up and Running

... and it's Bigger than you think

The 2006 Spring Racing Carnival was officially launched at Melbourne’s Federation Square this morning with a free public breakfast surrounded by a spray of colour, music and entertainment befitting Australia’s biggest sporting and social event.

Racing and fashion’s biggest names joined Premier Steve Bracks to help officially unveil this year’s extravaganza. Among them were last year’s Caulfield Cupwinning jockey Greg Childs, reigning Scobie Breasley Medallist Craig Williams, 1992 Melbourne Cup winner Subzero and each of the racing clubs’ Spring Racing Carnival ambassadors for 2006 dressed in some amazing fashions.

The festivities also included a parade acknowledging the eight countries competing for spring glory, with representatives from Australia, England, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates and the United States of America.

Victorian Premier Steve Bracks said that today’s launch showcased how the Spring Racing Carnival had evolved into an international event that generated interest and economic activity far beyond Victoria’s border.

“With world class racing and unmatched levels of prize money, the Spring Racing Carnival places a major focus on Victoria and delivers a quality spectacle both on and off the track for 50 days of the year.”

“The 2005 Spring Racing Carnival delivered a Gross Economic Benefit of $524.3 million and was attended by 730,110, once again proving to be a hallmark tourism event and a big winner for the Victorian economy. We expect this year to be bigger and better.”

“Every year, more than 100,000 overseas and interstate visitors plan trips to attend our spectacular racing celebrations and today illustrates how, both on and off the track, anyone can take part in the 50 days of spring festivities,” Mr Bracks said.

Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) Chairman Graham Duff highlighted that the Spring Racing Carnival is bigger than most people think, as it showcases 50 days of premier racing between 5 October and 23 November with a party atmosphere unparalleled at any other Australian sporting event.

“The Spring Racing Carnival covers 79 race meetings in which horses compete for a share of over $37 million in prizemoney, including $10,755,000 in the big three races alone – the $5,100,000 Emirates Melbourne Cup, the $3,140,000 Tattersall’s Cox Plate and the $2,515,000 BMW Caulfield Cup.”

“There are more than 20 Country Cups over the 50 days of the Carnival. The country racing experience is truly unique, with each country club offering a race day different to the next, but they all bring out the best of each local community.”

“The Spring Racing Carnival is an extraordinary drawcard that continues to attract enhanced overseas attention. The growing internationalisation of our racing means that it will continue to be a key element of the global racing calendar,” Mr Duff said.

Minister for Racing John Pandazopoulos said the economic and social contribution that country racing makes to the people of Victoria is at its strongest during the Spring Racing Carnival.

“Racing is an important industry not only for Melbourne, but across regional Victoria, where the majority of thoroughbred racing jobs are based. More than twothirds of country race meetings recorded an increase in attendance during the 2005 Spring Racing Carnival, which lead to an overall increase of 17% at country racing Carnival meetings compared to the previous year.”

While the undisputed heroes of the Carnival are the stars of the turf, the accompanying partying and fashion frenzy that seizes Melbourne provides a brilliant atmosphere.

The fact that race goers purchased a total of 304,478 fashion items valued at over $20 million last year shows that spring time is a chance to indulge. The hottest items for women were 30,199 pairs of shoes, 43,470 hats and 26,136 handbags, while men purchased 18,033 ties, 14,995 pairs of shoes and 6,762 sunglasses.

The www.springracingcarnival.com.au website has all the information you need to make it through the 50 day spectacular.

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