The Valley - Saturday 25th September 2020

1 CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME It is that time of year again when spring is in the air and the lights turn on at The Valley for a new season of Ladbrokes Friday Night Lights. Albeit with some sadness this year that we cannot all be there, the launch of the Ladbrokes Friday Night Lights Season is always a highlight on the calendar and marks the first Group 1 race of The Valley’s season. The $1 million Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes has a notable honour roll and we saw this as recently as last year when Nature Strip took all before him over the 1000 metres. He joined the likes of Black Caviar, Miss Andretti and the great Schillaci and we cannot wait to see who will join them tonight. First conducted in 1976, the Moir Stakes is named in honour of long serving committee member and former Chairman Sir Alan John Moir. We also recognise the work and dedication of former MVRC Chairman Bob Scarborough and Bill Stutt and committeeman W.H. Stocks with races tonight named in their recognition for what truly is one of the great nights of racing with five group races. Of course, with racing under lights at The Valley comes the Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge and we are pleased to again offer the trainer of the fastest horse a cheque from Ladbrokes for $55,000 at the end of the season. Runners will be following in the footsteps of Group 1 winner Bella Vella who clocked a time of 54.84 for Will Clarken last season. Through more great support of our partners, the Drummond Golf Ride of the Night will also return for the 2020/21 Season. This week we have taken second declarations for the Ladbrokes Cox Plate and nominations for the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes as the Club’s pinnacle 24 hours of racing nears on October 23-24. We were delighted to hear Aidan O’Brien will be chasing his second W.S. Cox Plate victory recently and I am sure you are excited as I am as we near the 100th edition the LEGENDARY race. I trust you are all staying safe and healthy and enjoy this evening’s racing. Don Casboult Chairman