by Trots Media
October’s premier trots event will be named the Allied Express Victoria Cup after Australia’s leading independently-owned courier, freight and logistics company partnered the famed race.
Allied Express CEO Colin McDowell said the company’s sponsorship of the October 14 Victoria Cup reflected its commitment to the sport and to greater Melbourne.
“Melbourne is an important market for Allied Express and the trots is a vehicle for us to spread the business’s message,” Mr McDowell said.
“The Allied Express Victoria Cup is a big race and it’s the night of the Everest and the Caulfield Guineas, so a lot of people will be thinking about the thoroughbreds and the trots on that day.”
The prestigious race, which has been won by immortals Christen Me, Lennytheshark and Lazarus in the past three years, further strengthens the long involvement both Allied Express and Mr McDowell have had with the sport.
The company, which employs more than 1500 Australians in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, has financially supported the sport for almost 50 years.
Mr McDowell has been a trots driver for almost as long as well as a prolific owner and breeder.
“It’s in my blood,” he said. “My son (Ben) and daughter-in-law (Kerry) do the training now and we have about 70 horses on the go and are always working to find that next nice horse.”
Harness Racing Victoria CEO David Martin said: “Harness Racing Victoria is pleased to have signed Allied Express as naming rights sponsor for the 2017 Victoria Cup. The 2017 Allied Express Victoria Cup promises to be an exciting race.”
The cup will be held on October 14 at Tabcorp Park Melton and remains one of only eight Australasian races that form the Grand Circuit.
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