The Everest barrier draw: display goes live at Sydney Opera House

Loud boos erupted as The Everest’s projection began at the Opera House but 2000 protesters failed to disrupt it.

9/10/18 The Sydney Opera House is lit up with spots of light as protestors gather at the base. Picture: Tracey Nearmy

Organisers of The TAB Everest, the world’s most lucrative horse race, brought forward their controversial projection of the race barrier draw on the sails of the Sydney Opera House by about half an hour to minimise potential disruption by protesters.

Last night’s event drew about 2000 noisy protesters, well short of the more than 3000 who had indicated on social media they would to attend.

Loud boos erupted from the protesters as the barrier draw projection began but the torch beams and smartphone lights, although visible, failed to disrupt it.

Protesters' torch beams and smartphone lights failed to disrupt the projection.

Earlier Racing NSW, which had planned to conduct the barrier draw live at the Opera House, held it behind closed doors because of security risks. Betting was suspended for several hours until the draw was released on the sails of the Opera House.

Last year’s winner Redzel drew the coveted inside barrier and maintained equal favouritism at $7 for the race alongside Trapeze Artist (barrier 6) and the David Hayes-trained Vega Magic (barrier 7).

The Godolphin empire was forced to make a last-minute move after Home Of The Brave was scratched from the race. They shifted Osborne Bulls into their slot which drew barrier 5.

Viddora, a scintillating last-start winner at Moonee Valley, drew the outside barrier and is $15 on the TAB.

Protesters hold signs outside the Opera House. Picture: Christian Gilles

Radio personality Alan Jones today apologised on air for his fierce attack on Opera House boss Louise Herron, in which he called for her to be sacked for opposing the use of the Opera House sails for the barrier draw.

“I used some words in these programs about the Everest and the Opera House, and Louise (Herron), which in hindsight, I now most regret,” the 2GB radio broadcaster said on his show. “In relation to Louise. I was tough regarding an issue I and others felt very important.”

During their heated conversation on Friday, Jones demanded that Ms Herron “come to the party,” over the Everest promotion or lose her job.

Earlier yesterday, opponents of the event presented a printout of an online petition to State Parliament.

Petition organiser, Mike Woodcock, said: “It would be great if (Gladys Berejiklian) also accepted the views of 232,200 other people that are on the other side of this.”

A large police presence, including vehicles from the public order and riot squad, watched as the crowd built ahead of the barrier launch.

Water police patrolled the perimeter of the Opera House and barricades were installed in the forecourt ahead of the planned protest.

Lesa Hogan, 54, and daughter Adeen Keane, 16, came from Baulkham Hills to join the event. “I’m horrified the opera house is being used to advertise an event like this,” Ms Hogan told The Australian.

“I’m not against horse racing but this is a site of art and national pride,” Ms Hogan said.

Workers finishing their day in the nearby CBD joined children, retirees, and other

Sydneysiders who had marched from a meeting place at Macquarie St near the NSW parliament to get to the landmark for the revised 7:30pm switch on time, brought forward from 8pm.

Attendees holding signs of “Not a billboard” and “Alan Jones no 1 bully” began arriving shortly after 6pm, starting chants of “save our sails” and “sack Alan Jones”. An effigy doll of Alan Jones was also hoisted up and passed through the crowd.

A chorus of booing lasting more than a minute erupted from the crowd at 7:39pm, followed by continuous chanting of “turn it off” that is still continuing.

Protesters chanted “turn it off”. Picture: Christian Gilles

Joining chanting protesters against the display was Australian singer Jimmy Barnes, who has performed at the Opera House. He told The Australian the projection for The Everest was “wrong on so many levels”.

“I came to yell and to have a presence here. I’m so proud of the Opera House. I’ve played here and to have it degraded like this is a shocking thing and the government should know better.”

“This is an Australian treasure... to advertise horse racing on it is degrading to a great place.”

“To make things worse as have such a major problem with gambling in this country, it destroys families everywhere and to put it on one of our icons is a horrible thing.”

“To have Alan Jones disrespect women all over the world by the way he spoke and acted and continually speaks. Somebody has got to stand up and say enough. I’m just here to do my bit, I’m sick of him.”

“Nearly 300,000 have signed a petition. Our government should stick up for this instead of ScoMo saying this is a good thing for the country. He has no f**king idea,” Barnes said.