PAPUA NEW GUINEA RACING LUNCH

The Carbine Club of Papua New Guinea held its annual Racing Lunch on Friday 12^th May at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Ballroom in Port Moresby.

Two legends of the Australian racing community, jockey John Letts and race caller Greg Miles OAM were the guests of honour.

The day started off with toasts to ‘Papua New Guinea’ by John Nilkare, ex captain of the PNG Rugby Sevens team, and to ‘Carbine’ by long time PNG Carbine member Bob O’Dea. This was followed by a passionate toast by former PNG jockey and PNG Carbine Club stalwart John Robinson that followed the rise and decline of PNG’s own racing scene.

It was then the turn of the guests to entertain.

John Letts regaled the crowd with his yarns about how he was introduced to the sport of racing and how he won a Melbourne Cup on his first attempt after arriving as an unknown from out of town (Adelaide).

Greg let us know that it wasn’t an easy entry into the world of race calling despite now being one of the most famous voices in racing having called the last 36 Melbourne Cups.

Both gentlemen then provided further entertainment with a lively Q and A session.

Guest speakers Greg Miles OAM and John Letts with PNG Carbine Club committee members John Robinson and Tony Carbry