QUEENSLAND thoroughbred racing fans will finally get the opportunity to mix and mingle with the 'who's who' of race trainers on Friday May 9 when one of Melbourne's iconic racing events comes to town.

The inaugural 2014 Late Mail Luncheon® has invited an incredible line-up of thoroughbred trainers, celebrities and guests for a 4-hour lunch in the Ballroom of Sofitel Brisbane Central to celebrate this years' racing carnival in Queensland.

(IF you would like to win a double pass to the Late Mail Luncheon please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). 

A maximum of just 400 guests will get up close and personal with champion Group 1 trainers like Rob Heathcote, Tony Gollan or any one of a growing list of trainers joining what is shaping up as the party of the year.

A handful of racing's most popular former winners will also be joining in the celebrations including the legendary Joe Janiak (master trainer of international sprint legend Takeover Target) and Con Karakatsanis (trainer of dual Stradbroke winner Black Piranha).

Greg Eurell (trainer of the baldy faced cult hero and carnival champion Apache Cat) originally planned to attend but with live chances in Adelaide at the same time, is a last minute withdrawal. His seat has already been taken by Sydney's Gerald Ryan who is looking to bring Group 1 winning mare Snitzerland to Brisbane for the 2014 BTC Cup.

Entertainment on the day doesn't get much better than a live performance from Aussie rock star Shannon Noll performing a number of his hits live plus one of Australia's funniest men in stand up comedy Paul Martell.

The Host of the Trainers Panel will be announced shortly but is likely to be one of Brisbane's highest profile racing experts.

For the first time in a decade, Event Director Mark Scaife (not the V8 supercar driver but wishes he was) will take on MC duties and be joined on stage by Co-Host Prue Eales, part-owner of 2009 Melbourne Cup winner 'Shocking.'

Event Director and marketing man Mark Scaife will again play host to around 400 special guests at the 5-star Sofitel Brisbane Central the day before the 2014 BTC Cup. This will be the 10th year Scaife has hosted the event somewhere in Australia and he's keen as mustard to bring the show to Brisbane.

Scaife, who survived a heart attack 3 years ago at age 43 and is more motivated than ever to promote trainers and help attract new participants to thoroughbred racing through his luncheon events, believes racing must promote itself through an entertainment-based marketing strategy.

"The Late Mail Luncheon® and many other events like ours have become successful on the fringe of the industry because we promote thoroughbred racing through entertainment, not just wagering."

Scaife says "We identified last year that the projected flow-on benefits from 'The Championships' in Sydney during the autumn would make this the right time to invest in Queensland and launch our independent racing lunch. It's a small thing but a positive sign that interstate businesses like us are now considering putting their own money into Queensland going forward."

"We should state for the record that our luncheon events celebrate racing carnivals around Australia but we are not an official event or endorsed by anyone other than our sponsor partners and friends" said Scaife.

And it's hard to argue his strategy when you consider the impressive line up already assembled for the event.

Dan Bougoure, Bryan Guy, Matthew Dunn, Liam Birchley, John Thompson, Daniel Meagher, Barry Baldwin, Kelso Wood and Chris Anderson will be amongst the guests on the day.

This extraordinary gathering of trainers will provide guests with analysis, insight and some hot tips for the major races of the carnival which makes this luncheon a must-attend for anyone thinking of having a punt.

But these trainers dubbed the 'rock stars of racing' won't steal the show this year.

Aussie rock heart throb Shannon Noll who has stamped himself as one of Australia's real vocal talents in a career that has already amassed an impressive number of albums and awards, will rock the Ballroom with a live performance of his biggest hits.

Recently moving across to good friend Guy Sebastian's management 6 Degrees, Noll has relocated back to Sydney to concentrate on his new album and fulfilling an ever growing number of live performances across the country.

By sheer popular demand, the event has also secured the side-splitting wit of stand-up comedian Paul Martell. Now a Late Mail Luncheon® regular, Martell has carved out one of the most successful stand up careers in Australia and is rarely out of work.

"But there is a serious side to the business of racing industry luncheon events" says Scaife.

"The real rock stars of the racing industry are the trainers who get up at 3am every day, go to sleep at 8pm every night, work seven days a week and take all the business risks to try and earn a living. We try and provide an event that attracts successful individuals who enjoy good food, good wine and great company which by default ends up helping trainers attract new owners" said Scaife.

"There have been a number of high profile trainers recently who have spoken out about the pressure associated with being a trainer and serious problems like as depression and alcohol abuse. There is no doubt the problem is getting worse. We've known this for a decade. That's why we call our trainers the 'rock stars of racing' and deliver a VIP event we think they deserve. And if nothing else, it gives trainers a chance to invite their beautiful long-suffering wives and partners to a nice lunch" said Scaife.

The lunch is upstaged by its own now infamous Official After Party which will be held in the Cuvee Lounge downstairs at Sofitel Brisbane Central from 3.30pm onwards. Brown-Forman are providing their lead cocktail barman Grant Shearon to mix up some serious cocktails for guests who are invited for the wind-down.

Further announcements of some very special guests attending will be made in the coming days.

Strictly limited tickets are available for general sale starting from $190 inc GST for trainers and owners. Single tickets or Tables of 10 are available. Bookings can be made via Telephone 0409 473 541 or Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For more information, contact Mark Scaife on 0409 473 541