Returning from injury, boom horse and unbeaten three-year-old filly, Black Caviar is the star attraction and has not raced since her Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200 metres) win at Flemington on 5th September.
No three-year-old filly has ever won the Australia Stakes in the 22 year history of the race.
The Peter Moody-trained filly will face older rivals including the flying Here De Angels and the inform veteran Royal Ida.
Recent winners of the Australia Stakes include Lucky Secret, El Segundo, Super Elegant, Yell, All Our Mob, Schillaci, Special, Hareeba, and Redelva.
The Australia Stakes leads a huge meeting at Moonee Valley, with musician Mark Seymour performing live, a ‘Throw the Thong in the Esky’ competition and the ‘All About Dogz’ agility show, which are just some of many Australia-themed activities, organised for the night.
MVRC and a number of on-course bookmakers have joined together to support a number of prominent charities and essential community support organisations as part of the Australia Day Weekend celebrations.
Each community organization will be asked to select their horse of which a win bet of $500 will be placed by the donor bookmaker. All proceeds won will go to that community organisation.
Race Beneficiary Bookmaker
1 Valley Events Super Vobis Handicap Save the Children Fund Haiti Bell Manning Partnership
2 Tatts Group Handicap Save the Children Fund Haiti Ernie Campagna
3 Sportingbet Handicap Australian Wildlife Health Centre Rod Cleary
4 Michael Rodd UK Racing Tour Handicap Country Fire Authority Victoria Lisa Eskander
5 Moreton Hire Handicap State Emergency Service Victoria Norm Oke
6 Essendon Mazda Australia Stakes St John Ambulance Ray Swannie
7 Ryan & McNulty Sawmiller Handicap The Cancer Council Tom Waterhouse
As part of the Australia Day celebrations, all jockeys riding horses carrying the Number 1 saddlecloth on the Australia Day Weekend meetings will be wearing a special set of ‘Australia Day’ colours.
The National Anthem will be sung by Raphael Wong who won the Australia Day Committee’s National Anthem Singer Competition.
The Moonee Valley race meeting commences with the first of eight races at 6.45pm. Gates open at 5.15pm. Adults $20, Concession $12, and children under 17 are free.
For further information on dining packages, call MVRC Customer Service on 1300 79 79 59.
Note: The race previously known as the Group 2 Carlyon Stakes (WFA 1200m) run in January is now known as the Australia Stakes in line with Australia Day celebrations. The Group 1 William Reid Stakes (formally Australia Stakes) has reverted back to its registered name (run in February).
MOONEE VALLEY RACING CLUB MEDIA RELEASE
CONTACT: Leigh Newton
PR & Marketing Executive
0419 355 762
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