Mr BONSON - 2007-08-22
The Darwin Cup Carnival is a welcome boost to the Territory’s lifestyle and economy. Would the minister advise the Assembly of the highlights of this year’s cup carnival?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Millner for his question. Indeed, the Darwin Cup has come a long way since it was first run in 1956, with prize money of 260 and just four runners. It was probably pretty easy to pick the winner with only four runners, and maybe they only paid out on the winner.
Today, it has evolved into a carnival with total prize money of $1.3m, and the Carlton Draught Darwin Cup has prize money of $150 000. What a great day it was! There were 20 000 people out there at the track, all enjoying themselves and having a great time, myself included. I compliment my colleague, the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, who put on buses. I believe about 5500 people went to the track on buses. It was an enjoyable day.
There were 29 interstate bookmakers who fielded, along with our own local bookmakers. It was great to see them from all over Australia. There were jockeys from all over Australia too, Darren Gauci, Peter Mertens, Mark Pegus and Shane Scriven, plus race callers from every state in Australia.
It is history now. General Market won the big race. General Market’s 18-year-old trainer was obviously ecstatic. Michael Hickmott has a great future in racing. Mark Pegus was the jockey, and the horse was beautifully ridden, I thought.
On a sad note, most members of this parliament would be aware that jockey, Scott Leckey, had a very bad fall during the carnival. He is seriously ill in hospital. I understand that he is being transferred from Royal Darwin Hospital to Melbourne to receive specialist treatment. I am sure all members join me in wishing Scott and his family the best. We are hopeful that he makes a full recovery. It is a sport, but also a dangerous sport.
The carnival overall is a great boon to Darwin. There were nearly 3000 people at the Darwin Cup Ball to see Leon Sayer …
Members: Leo Sayer! Leo, Leo!
Dr BURNS: Leo!
Mr Stirling: He is your generation, Burnsie!
Dr BURNS: Leo Sayer. He is a very nice bloke and was certainly appreciated by the crowd. Everyone got up and had a dance, including me.
The Darwin Cup Carnival is important as it injects millions of dollars into the economy. It is a great part of our lifestyle. Our government is investing $7.8m per year into the racing industry.
I commend Darwin Turf Club for putting on a great show. Des Friedrich and Charles Burkitt should be very proud of it. We need for it to build and grow, and I believe it will in future years.
Members: Hear, hear!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Millner for his question. Indeed, the Darwin Cup has come a long way since it was first run in 1956, with prize money of 260 and just four runners. It was probably pretty easy to pick the winner with only four runners, and maybe they only paid out on the winner.
Today, it has evolved into a carnival with total prize money of $1.3m, and the Carlton Draught Darwin Cup has prize money of $150 000. What a great day it was! There were 20 000 people out there at the track, all enjoying themselves and having a great time, myself included. I compliment my colleague, the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, who put on buses. I believe about 5500 people went to the track on buses. It was an enjoyable day.
There were 29 interstate bookmakers who fielded, along with our own local bookmakers. It was great to see them from all over Australia. There were jockeys from all over Australia too, Darren Gauci, Peter Mertens, Mark Pegus and Shane Scriven, plus race callers from every state in Australia.
It is history now. General Market won the big race. General Market’s 18-year-old trainer was obviously ecstatic. Michael Hickmott has a great future in racing. Mark Pegus was the jockey, and the horse was beautifully ridden, I thought.
On a sad note, most members of this parliament would be aware that jockey, Scott Leckey, had a very bad fall during the carnival. He is seriously ill in hospital. I understand that he is being transferred from Royal Darwin Hospital to Melbourne to receive specialist treatment. I am sure all members join me in wishing Scott and his family the best. We are hopeful that he makes a full recovery. It is a sport, but also a dangerous sport.
The carnival overall is a great boon to Darwin. There were nearly 3000 people at the Darwin Cup Ball to see Leon Sayer …
Members: Leo Sayer! Leo, Leo!
Dr BURNS: Leo!
Mr Stirling: He is your generation, Burnsie!
Dr BURNS: Leo Sayer. He is a very nice bloke and was certainly appreciated by the crowd. Everyone got up and had a dance, including me.
The Darwin Cup Carnival is important as it injects millions of dollars into the economy. It is a great part of our lifestyle. Our government is investing $7.8m per year into the racing industry.
I commend Darwin Turf Club for putting on a great show. Des Friedrich and Charles Burkitt should be very proud of it. We need for it to build and grow, and I believe it will in future years.
Members: Hear, hear!
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016