Familiar faces set to team up with Victoria’s best jockeys for Resimax Group Rapid Racing

The race card is highlighted by the Jockeys Challenge, a competition that will see the top fourteen riders in Victoria compete over seven sprint races from 3pm to 6pm.   

An AFL legend and former Hawthorn player, Dipper is also a regular racegoer at Flemington. He will be an ambassador for the metropolitan team featuring Victorian premiership leader and team captain Jye McNeil alongside champion jockey Brett Prebble, multiple Group 1 winners Damian Lane, Jamie Kah, Michael Dee and leading apprentices Matthew Cartwright and Josh Richards.

Dipper said he was thrilled to represent the metropolitan team.

“The metropolitan team consists of some champion jockeys and some rising stars of the sport, so I have no doubt they can maintain their winning record in the jockeys challenge,” Dipper said.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to participating in the unique race day where it’s all about fast racing and friendly rivalry.”

Swan-Hill born AFL player Josh Jenkins will be a proud ambassador for the country team, with the Geelong local also a passionate racing fan.

“I’m a big supporter of grassroots sport and racing so I’m excited to team up with the country team for Resimax Group Rapid Racing,” Jenkins said.

“The country jockeys are some of the hardest workers in the sport, travelling hundreds of kilometres every week to ride and I know they’ll bring their A-game to Flemington on Friday.”

The country team stars 33-time Group 1 winning rider Craig Newitt plus team captain Jarrod Fry and fellow riders Patrick Moloney, Will Gordon, Declan Bates, Damien Thornton and Dean Holland.

The last two years has seen a tight finish to the Jockeys Challenge with the metropolitan team taking home the honours in 2020 and 2021. This year the winning team will be awarded an annual membership to Eynesbury Golf Club and two nights’ accommodation at Melbourne’s Adelphi Hotel.

Tickets are now on sale for Resimax Group Rapid Racing at vrc.com.au with options including The Dining Room for members, or the Front Lawn Beer Garden for all racegoers, with ice cold drinks and food trucks to satisfy a range of tastes.

A special Happy Hour will run from an hour after gates open with half-price drinks by the glass in all retail venues.

Throughout the day, the west end of the front lawn will play host to an array of free activities for families with lawn games and face painting.

There will be extended hours after the last for those who want to settle in and kick on into the evening. Racegoers can stay for the VRC’s ‘Party After the Last’ with John Course headlining the DJ set on the Front Lawn Beer Garden.

A digital race book will be available at vrc.com.au and VRC members, owners and all racing fans are encouraged to follow the race day via the VRC social media platforms using our official hashtag #Flemington on social media and via Racing.com and RSN.

Final teams for Resimax Group Rapid Racing

Image: Robert “Dipper” DiPierdomenico at Flemington.