Two weeks ago we asked Roar readers to tell us about their greatest Australian sporting moment, with a grand prize of a 42″ LG70YD flatscreen TV, worth over $2,000, to be awarded to the best entrant. Well, the entries are in (all 148 of them) and we have a winner.
We’re pleased to announce that the winner of the LG flatscreen TV is James Mortimer.
James’ winning entry was on the great dame of racing, Makybe Diva. Any sporting memory that ends with an ‘awe inspiring, goosebump riddling, ectasy inducing moment’ just has to go straight to the top of the ladder.
Here’s an excerpt from James Mortimer’s entry:
“In 2005 the great horse was seeking to enter the book of horsing immortals – if such a tome exists – and the one feather missing from her mighty cap was a victory in the Cox plate – arguably the most important race in Australian racing along with the Melbourne Cup.
Some considered the two greatest racers in Australian racing history to be Phar Lap and Might and Power.
But Diva’s victory in the 2005 cox plate elevated to the podium of which these two godlike horses stood. A thumping victory set the genesis for a third consecutive Melbourne Cup – joining the above mentioned horses and the only racers to win a Cox/Melbourne Cup double.
“Socceroo’s, Wallabies, Shane Warne, John Eales, John Aloisi, and all those names are familiar to us in the sporting fraternity – but all Australians know the name of the Diva – who proudly let me witness the greatest moment in Australian Sport.”
James Mortimer will be able to watch the nags go round again next year in the Melbourne Cup on a new 42″ LG70YD flatscreen TV, which he’ll be receiving very shortly.
Thank you to everyone who entered. It was a very nostalgic two weeks reliving wonderful Australian sporting memories!
Andrew P
Guest
Congratulations, James. The competition was a purely subjective one, so there was no right or wrong. That said, horse-racing, to me, is a sport that exists purely for people to punt on, and therefore leaves me cold. However, for some reason, I have instant recall on all the Melbourne Cup winners from Think Big in 1974, and have never wagered a cent on the race. Go figure...
Slippery Jim
Guest
One point of contention is that Makybe Diva is a British horse, born in Someset, so can this really be called an 'Australian sporting moment'?
sheek
Guest
Well done James, I must admit the task overwhelmed me. So many great moments, it seemed unfair to even mention one, lest you offend all the others. Like thanking all the people in your life!
onside
Guest
Me too, thanks to The Roar,terrific little competition .And the winning article was a good choice
Redb
Guest
Cpaaa, It's not so much the event - that is highly subjective - it was how the writer argued his case. Redb
Redb
Guest
Congrats James. What is striking but not unusual is the number of different posters on that article thread that we don't usually hear from. The Readers to Posters is about a 5 to 1 ratio - obviously until a prize is involved. :-) Redb
Cpaaa
Guest
i guess a god like horse to be australias greatest sporting event is neutral and wont upset any of the other sports fans.
Brett McKay
Expert
I just want to know how the guys managed to find a winner in all the cracking entries..
Slippery Jim
Guest
Getting prizes for commenting on sports blogs - life doesn't get much better than that! Well done the Roar, and congratulations James!
James Mortimer
Roar Guru
Thank you so much Roar! Am humbled to win such a great prize - thanks for such a great competition, and I hope that watching more sports on it will help me write even better articles. Again, very humbled, very appreciative.