The Valley - Saturday 31st July 2021

1 On behalf of the Moonee Valley Racing Club, it is with great anticipation that we welcome racing back to The Valley for the final meeting of the season. Season 2020/21 at The Valley has seen many great stories emerge. We have witnessed star performances, both human and equine, celebrated landmark occasions and off the track made great progress with our redevelopment, ‘The Valley of Tomorrow.’ Of course, the pandemic has seriously impacted our ability to host a crowd this season, which has been sorely missed at our track which is built on atmosphere. While this has been especially difficult for our loyal members, we thank them for their ongoing support and look forward to hosting them again soon when it is safe to do so. Despite no crowd on course, Ladbrokes Cox Plate 100 was a great success, and our inaugural hosting of the All-Star Mile in March followed suit. Glen Boss and Sir Dragonet reigned supreme in a stellar edition of the Ladbrokes Cox Plate, while Mugatoo and Russian Camelot delivered an epic two-horse war in an All-Star Mile we will never forget. The 53rd edition of the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes saw Hey Doc crowned for a second time, and in the process the 7-year-old gelding set a new 1200 metre track record. Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes night also showcased two other new track records, with Written Beauty and Groundswell setting the new benchmarks over 1000 metres and 1500 metres respectively. Pippie won her second Group 1 in the Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes, and Masked Crusader saved his best efforts for the Night Racing Season Finale, storming home to claim the Group 1 Keogh Homes William Reid Stakes. Tony & Calvin McEvoy’s Sisstar also claimed the Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge in the final heat and set a new 955 metre track record. While some of these outstanding accolades seem difficult to outshine, perhaps the greatest achievement of all has been the rise of star jockey Jamie Kah. In a season of milestones, Jamie has become the first jockey in history to ride 100 Victorian metropolitan winners in a season, while also becoming the first ever female rider to win the Victorian metropolitan premiership. The Moonee Valley Racing Club congratulate Jamie on her remarkable efforts and wish her all the best in the upcoming season. Season 2020/21 has also enjoyed record wagering results, which has laid the foundation for Racing Victoria to endorse many fantastic prizemoney uplifts for the upcoming season. The Group 1 Keogh Homes William Reid Stakes will be uplifted to $1million from $500,000, the Group 2 Feehan Stakes prizemoney will rise to $500,000 from $250,000, and all black-type and Ladbrokes Friday Night Lights minimums have increased. The Club is very appreciative of these new prizemoney uplifts and hopes it will allow us to attract even higher quality fields in the new season. With increases in prizemoney, high class fields and the potential for the return of crowds to the Ladbrokes Cox Plate Carnival, Season 2021/22 at The Valley promises to be our greatest yet. We wish all participants good luck today and we can’t wait to see you back trackside in the not-too-distant future. CHAIRMAN’s WELCOME Don Casboult Chairman