Four races were named at Flemington Saturday in honour of those that served with distinction at the Victoria Racing Club.

Murray Cox joined the Victoria Racing Club in 1970 as secretary, after spending time with the Moonee Valley Racing Club in a similar position, where his father, W S (Bill) Cox, had also served time as secretary, when the Club’s offices were located in Bourke Street Melbourne.

Cox retired in 1986, he was the sixth secretary to have served at the VRC since its formation in 1864.

Sir Alec Creswick, a prominent pastoralist and businessman, was a member of the V R C from 1959-83, he served as Chairman from 1969-77, he was a highly respected racing administrator and leader.

His racing colours of black, blue sash, were carried by numerous good horses, Centreway, Midlander, Clear Springs, Jury, and the great filly, True Course.

To win the Derby was his ambition in racing, he almost achieved it when Jury was beaten a short half head by Stormy Rex in 1977, his father had won the race in 1935 with Felspar, ridden by Keith Voitre and trained by Lou Robertson.

Rod Johnson had the unique distinction of joining the Victoria Racing Club in1946, (the year of Bernborough), as an office boy and retiring 48 years later as Chief Executive Officer.

At the presentation on Saturday he said “I am proud to have a race named in my honour and enjoyed my time at the V R C, and would do it all again”

Johnson was much more than just a racing administrator, he was always approachable and often there was a helping hand for a jockey who may have fallen on hard times.

L V (Leon) Lachal C B E, was recruited from the Sydney Turf Club to join the Victoria Racing Club in 1960, he retired in 1970.

He knew what racing was about having spent 13 years as secretary of the S T C, he was among the architects involved with the inaugural Golden Slipper Stakes in 1957, won by Todman.

Rod Johnson