AFL boss Gillon McLachlan enjoys Melbourne Cup as part owner of rank outsider Neufbosc
Horseracing fans dream of owning a Melbourne Cup winner. AFL boss Gillon McLachlan is no different, but things didn’t quite turn out as he’d hoped in Tuesday’s big race. THE SCORE.
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A piece of the tail was about the extent of their percentage, but it got two AFL heavyweights the racing experience of a lifetime.
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan and his right-hand man, general counsel Andrew Dillon, were a part of the ownership of the rank outsider of the Cup field Neufbosc.
And they certainly looked the part for the occasion, striding out in the full Royal Ascot long coat and striped pants.
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They five-year-old grey gelding – named after a small village in the Normandy region in northern France – only came out to Australia from France this year.
It was transferred to the Hayes camp but had failed to fire with five fairly average starts in Oz leading into the Cup.
Not that this worried its owners.
“I’ve had horses for 20 years and never come close to the Melbourne Cup,” Dillon said.
After drawing horribly in barrier 23, Luke Nolen took the French import to the fence and was last as the field passed the post for the first time.
Unfortunately for the AFL head honchos it effectively stayed there for most of the way before passing a couple of stragglers to finish 21st.
There was an AFL connection with the winner Vow And Declare through Danny O’Brien’s racing manager Matt Harrington.
Harrington, who was in tears after the race, had been North Melbourne’s media man for four years from 2004 to 2008.
AFL media managers have a good record in the Melbourne Cup given Steve Wilson, Gold Coast’s PR man, was a part-owner of Prince Of Penzance in 2015.
PUNTER’S LONG-RANGE MULTI PAYS OFF
We officially have the bet of the year.
One TAB customer placed a $20 multi on February 21 which included:
– Richmond at $5 to win the 2019 AFL premiership
– Sydney Roosters at $4.50 to win the NRL premiership.
– Vow And Declare at $201 to win the Melbourne Cup.
The genius punter pocketed a cool $90,450 (20 x $4552.50).
For some perspective, in February the Danny O’Brien stayer was a long way from getting a start in the great race.
In fact it hadn’t even had its first start for 2019 and had won just two of five starts although its last race had been a win over the Flemington carnival in a listed 1800m race.
THE WHISPER
Which two-time premiership player and a reality star appeared to be on their own island in a prominent marquee?
Originally published as AFL boss Gillon McLachlan enjoys Melbourne Cup as part owner of rank outsider Neufbosc
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