CRANBOURNE
Thursday, 11 November, 2021
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Orange Door opens
Lockdown writers publish
Cup field takes shape
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SPORT
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Citizen of Year gives back
Cranbourne’s time to shine By David Nagel The stage is set for the biggest and best Cranbourne Cup in history with Saturday’s stand-alone meeting adding further lustre to the Cranbourne Turf Club’s (CTC) growing reputation as one of the meccas of Victorian racing. Wednesday morning’s Cranbourne Cup barrier draw created huge interest at the club, streamed live on RSN radio, with some huge statements being made about Cranbourne’s place in the world of racing. RSN’s Matt Stewart described the CTC Training Complex as the equal of the famous Chantilly racecourse in France, or the widely regarded Newmarket in England. “It’s hidden away from the public, but the rolling hills and sand tracks have a natural beauty that would be well placed anywhere in the world,” Stewart said. CTC chief executive officer Neil Bainbridge feels lucky that Cranbourne will wel-
come back crowds to the Cup after the empty stands of last year. “Obviously we’re disappointed with no crowds for a long period of time, however, we feel absolutely blessed that the Cranbourne Cup finds its way into the middle of November, prime racing time, and we’ll be able to have a crowd of 4000 people on track,” Bainbridge said. “Most of the Spring Carnival events have been held without crowds, so we feel very fortunate to be in this position.” Cranbourne Cup Day 2021 is going to be special for a number of reasons. Not only will crowds return, but the day will see the richest running of the Cranbourne Cup in history with $500,000 on offer and an overall purse for the program of $1.6million in prizemoney. Turn to page 17 in SPORT for a close look at this year’s Cup field
Cranbourne racing royalty, from left, trainers Mick Kent and Robbie Griffiths speak to RSN’s Matt Stewart at Wednesday morning’s Cranbourne Cup barrier draw. 257278 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Extortion arrests Three men from Melbourne’s south eastern suburbs have been charged by police as part of an investigation into an alleged extortion linked to the Comanchero Outlaw Motor Cycle Gang (OMCG). Detectives from the Echo Taskforce executed warrants at three residential properties in Narre Warren, Hallam and Cranbourne East, as well as a gym in Hallam from 6am on Tuesday 9 November. Three men were arrested and charged with numerous offences. A 49-year-old Narre Warren man, who is a patched member of the Comanchero OMCG, was charged with extortion, blackmail, threat to kill and theft of a motor vehicle, while a 19-year-old Hallam man was charged with
extortion, possessing steroids, failing to provide information pursuant to a 465AA order and weapons offences. Both men were expected to face the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court that same afternoon, on Tuesday 9 November. The third culprit, a 25-year-old Cranbourne East man, was also charged with extortion, possessing steroids, possessing proceeds of crime, failing to provide information pursuant to a 465AA order and weapons offences. He was expected to be bailed to appear before court at a later date. While executing the warrants, detectives
also seized a number of items from the addresses including cash, weapons and steroids. The three arrests form part of an investigation by the Echo Taskforce into an alleged extortion and subsequent threats made to two victims over the past 12 months. Detective Inspector Dan Ryan from the Echo Taskforce said the motorcycle gang was notorious for its criminal activity and these arrests were a great outcome for the investigation. “The Comanchero OMCG is a group historically linked to offences of immense community harm such as extortion, so to arrest three people today as part of this investiga-
tion is an excellent result,“ Det. Insp. Ryan said on Tuesday afternoon. “We also understand how difficult it can be for victims to engage with police in these matters. “It’s important that community is aware of the support police can provide when they are a victim of offending such as this, and that we will do everything we can to ensure those who purposely intimidate the public in this way are held to account.” Anyone with information about OMCG activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to crimestoppersvic.com.au
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