The record, the biggest weight ever carried by a winner of the Listed race - a massive 60kg.

Enough weight to stop a train normally, but Roman Arch joined in with 100m to go like he had nothing on his back, sailing past Cumbria, carrying 7.5kg less, to win by a soft half length.

In doing so, Roman Arch - a son of Archway - recorded the tenth win of his 28 start career and since then he has gone from strength to strength - on October 11 taking out the Group One Toorak Handicap at Caulfield.

"Racing Victoria is committed to growing the thoroughbred racing industry in an environment where state-of-the art equine research ensures Victoria's recognition as a centre of racing excellence," O'Callaghan said.

VRC Chairman Rod Fitzroy and TBV President Mike Becker were also on hand to present their contributions, Fitzroy saying that "the VRC appreciates the importance of providing the very best care for our horses and we are pleased to support this capital fund raising effort as a way of expressing appreciation for the excellent work that is being undertaken at Werribee."

The Equine Centre's Professor Andrew Clarke accepted the donations, saying that the "announcement by RVL, the VRC and the TBV is a terrific birthday present for all horses. Racing Victoria's research investment is funding projects which focus on maintaining health, avoiding injury and disease, and allowing horses to reach their full potential."

"Thoroughbred racing has everything that you could ever hope for from a sport," he said. "It has excitement, tradition, dangerous spectacle, heroes, humour, and two centuries of fabulous anecdotes."

"If the sport is going to return to its former glory," he continued, "it must be seen as a sport and… if it… is to expand, it has to be covered, marketed, and perceived differently."

"I believe if you continue to do that, sell to the fan and not (just) the gambler, this sport could have a huge resurgence."

NEW BOOK HIGHLIGHTS CHAMPION SIRES
Popular breeding magazine, the Australian Bloodhorse Review will, over the Christmas/New Year period, publish an exciting new book titled "Great Thoroughbred Sires Of The World."

Being compiled by Arrowfield Stud's Byron Rogers along with the Bloodhorse Review's Andrew Reichard and Jennifer Churchill, the book will cover in detail the careers of 200 influential stallions.

A horse who has always shown above average ability, Roman Arch kicked off his career in Melbourne where, under the care of Robbie Laing he won twice at Flemington before a third to Yell and Innovation Girl in the Futurity Stakes.

Transferred to the Strathalbyn stables of Mick Whittle in May, Roman Arch is now a triple stakes winner. He was bred and is raced by art dealer John Playfoot who has been passionate about his racing ever since attending the 1948 Melbourne Cup won by Rimfire.

In 1990 a close friend offered John a half share in a horse and he and his wife Suzanne gladly accepted. The horse – a flashy chestnut by the name of Tea Habit gave them many thrills, winning seven races including the Listed Dalgety Stakes at Flemington.

So in love with Tea Habit was Suzanne that, when ill nine years ago, she asked to be buried with a photo of the beloved galloper - and so she was. Testament to the passion that she and John shared for the thoroughbred.

At around the same time that John purchased Tea Habit, he spied a filly in a paddock that he liked the look of and he subsequently recommended her purchase to his Aunt.

The filly was Celestial Option and, trained by Robbie Laing, she won six races – three of those at metropolitan level. Retired to stud in 1993, she is the dam of Roman Arch.

EQUINE CENTRE CELEBRATES HORSES BIRTHDAY
Racing Victoria, the VRC and Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria joined forces to celebrate the horses birthday by donating over $300,000 to the Werribee Equine Centre.

Racing Victoria veterinarian Dr Paul O'Callaghan presented a cheque to the Equine Centre, the money to go towards vital equine research and development.

PATIENCE REWARDED - EVENTUALLY!
Congratulations must be passed on to Seymour trainer Vin McConnell and owner Frederick Allen, connections of the 7Y0 Quick Knock who at Bendigo on October 2 won a Class 2 event by two lengths.

Wins at this level are usually not particular newsworthy by Quick Knock is no average thoroughbred - the gelding having previously been a maiden despite racing 62 times!

Ten times in the placings, Quick Knock has raced at 20 tracks and he has been ridden
by 21 different jockeys - the successful ride going to apprentice Jade Da Rose.

POSTLE PHOTOS ON DISPLAY
The Cathedral Room of the ANZ Gothic Bank on Collins Street in Melbourne is this spring home to an exhibition featuring 60 memorable racing photographs.

Taken by the famed photographer Bruce Postle - best known for his gentle depiction of Tommy Woodcock and Reckless lying down together - the pictures are "are a tribute to both the photographer and the sport
he has photographed."

A multi-award winning sport and news photographer, Postle worked for many years as The Age's racing photographer and his finest work can be seen from September 10 till November 20. Admission is free.

SEABISCUIT PRODUCER HAS ADVICE FOR RACING PROMOTERS
Gary Ross, director, producer and screenwriter for the popular movie "Seabiscuit" gave an interesting speech at a recent conference in Las Vegas.

Noting that the hugely successful book "Seabiscuit" by Laura Hillenbrand broke records in becoming the biggest selling sports book of all time (over 5 million copies sold worldwide), Ross said that the key was the concentration on racing as a fascinating sport.

Ross was keen to get the message across that racing has enough excitement within without having to look outside the sport for its promotion.

"It is a work of massive scale," said Rogers who pointed out that the achievements of stallions "from St. Simon to Danehill" will be paid tribute to - along with sires from Australia, North America, South America, Asia, Europe and South Africa.

The eagerly awaited book will contain photographs, tabulated and family pedigrees, race records and full sire records along with essays written by internationally recognised authorities such as Tony Morris, Jack Werk, Alan Porter, Charles Faull, Jack Glengarry, Les Young and Tony Arrold.

The book has its own Internet site at: www.greatsires.com.au

TRIBUTE TO HAL HOYSTED
Respected trainer Harry "Hal" Hoysted – a member of a Victorian racing dynasty - passed away on August 25, aged 90.

A fourth generation racehorse trainer, Hal was a son of Henry "Tib" Hoysted who, along with his father Harry, was based at Wangaratta. Henry's father oversaw stables at Benalla and the tradition of training in the north east has continued with Wangaratta's Roger Hoysted, Hal's son.

Kicking off his racing career as a jockey at the tender age of 14, Hal rode 112 winners (including one successful stint of eight in a row) before retiring due to increasing weight aged 22.

At first stable foreman for his father, Hal then took out his own licence and he enjoyed a long and successful training career that saw him win such races as the Launceston Cup (becoming the first trainer to transport a horse by air on the day of the race) with Overproof, two William Reid Stakes with Golden Doubles (also winner of the C.F Orr Stakes and the C.M Lloyd Stakes) and 83 country cups including nine Wangaratta Cups and five Albury Cups.

Other memorable achievements for Hal Hoysted included a dead heat of his runners Anjohnell and Due in an improvers handicap at Wangaratta in July 1978 and the 27 wins of his first horse High View.

Plus of course his amazing 24 North-Eastern Racing District trainers premierships.

The Wangaratta Turf Club commemorates the achievements of the Hoysted family with a race named in their honour each year. Fittingly the first running of this race in 1976 was won by the Roger Hoysted trained Moongazer.