On Track 2024 (DRAFT 2)Pages AT - Flipbook - Page 5
CHAIR’S WELCOME
HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE 2024 AUTUMN EDITION OF THE ON TRACK MAGAZINE.
The publication provides an opportunity to
reflect on an amazing period of racing at
The Valley, including an unforgettable 2023
Ladbrokes Cox Plate Carnival.
The 2023 Ladbrokes Cox Plate was an instant
classic. Hong Kong’s superstar, Romantic
Warrior, had his colours lowered at his first
start in Australia, but with time to acclimatise,
Danny Shum and his team had the gelding in
fantastic order when the time arrived for his
main target, the Ladbrokes Cox Plate. His
champion qualities were on full display at The
Valley, fighting hard at the end of 2040m to
narrowly defeat Mr Brightside and Alligator
Blood.
Romantic Warrior’s inclusion in the worldclass field added so much to the race and The
World Pool’s involvement on the day amplified
the already increased interest in Hong Kong.
Another highlight of the day was Imperatriz
creating history with victory in the Ladbrokes
Manikato Stakes. With a 3 ¼ length victory,
the Mark Walker trained Imperatriz completed
The Valley’s sprinting Triple Crown, with
a clean sweep of the Group 1 sprints in a
calendar year, having previously won the 3
Point Motors William Reid Stakes and the
Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes. Our Media
and Content Executive – Racing Ben Caluzzi
has written a terrific profile on the new Queen
of The Valley.
An important aspect of the Ladbrokes Cox
Plate Carnival each year is the Cox Plate
Charity Pin, and for the past two years, the
Moonee Valley Racing Club has proudly
partnered with Make-A-Wish Australia.
Thanks to the generosity of our members,
racegoers, and the community, the Club was
delighted to be able to present Make-A-Wish
Australia with a cheque for $113,600, following
our fundraising efforts during the 2023 Spring
Carnival.
A highlight of summer at The Valley was
Sharp EIT Solutions Australia Stakes Day
with exciting 3yos, Veight and Southport
Tycoon fighting out the finish in the feature
race. With top-class Group racing along with
a captivating display of horse breeds off the
track, the event truly embraced the essence of
‘Celebration of the Horse’.
While racing has been in full swing, it has
also been a busy period in the property
space as Moonee Valley Park continues to
take shape. The second half of 2023 saw
the commencement of Trackside House and
Stonepine House, as well as the completion of
Feehan Row South.
The 2023/24 season at The Valley concludes
with 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes
Day. The Group 1 sprint will see the return
of Imperatriz, who is undefeated in four runs
at the track. It will be a tremendous way to
farewell the racing season, with six stakes
races and a Shetland pony race on the
program.
I would like to thank our members for making
it such a memorable season of racing and
I can’t wait to see you all again on track in
2024/25.
MOONEE VALLEY RACING CLUB
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