The Age Of Racing Excellence

Monday, November 13, 2006

The Age's Stephen Howell has taken out the major print award at the annual Melbourne Racing Club Spring Media Awards, presented at Caulfield Racecourse today. Howell was recognised for his feature story on the enduring association between trainer Ron Maund and owner Kevin O'Brien, and won the major prize ahead of The Australian's Patrick Smith and Trevor Grant from the Herald Sun.

Age photographers Vince Caligiuri and Pat Scala received Outstanding Merit Awards for their coverage of the carnival, in which Mark Dadswell from Getty Images won Best Action Photo and The Australian's Kelly Barnes Best Atmospheric/Events Photo. The Age's Rachel Wells was the major winner in the Social/Lifestyle category.

The winners of the 2006 Melbourne Racing Club Spring Media Awards were announced at the awards presentation function at Caulfield Racecourse. These prestigious awards, which now have a thirteen-year history, were presented in the following categories - Television, Press, Photography, Radio, Internet and Social/Lifestyle.

All major winners in each category received $1500 and an engraved trophy from the club. Outstanding Merit awards carrying a $250 prize were also presented in four categories. The club was delighted by the standard of work submitted in all categories.

One special recognition presentation, the Rising Fast Award, was also made. The Rising Fast Award, which recognises outstanding young talent and carries a trophy and travel prize to Noosa, was won by Sky Channel senior full-time presenter Matthew Browning.

The full list of winners of the 2006 Melbourne Racing Club Spring Media Awards are as follows:

Press Award
Major winner
Stephen Howell – The Age

Outstanding Merit Awards

Patrick Smith – The Australian
Trevor Grant – Herald Sun

Television Awards
Best News Reporting
Major winner
Michael Felgate - Channel Seven

Best Feature Story
Major winner
Bruce Clark – ThoroughVisioN

Photography Awards
Best Racing Action Photo
Major winner
Mark Dadswell – Getty Images

Best Atmospheric/Events Photo
Major winner
Kelly Barnes – The Australian

Outstanding Merit Awards

Pat Scala – The Age
Vince Caligiuri – The Age

Sport 927 Racing Radio Award
Winner – Andrew Bensley (Sport 927)

General Radio Award
Major winner
Gerard Whateley – ABC Radio Sport

Outstanding Merit Award
Ralph Horowitz – 3AW

Internet
Major winner – www.racingandsports.com.au

Outstanding Merit Award
Adam White – Sport 927 website

Social/Lifestyle
Major winner
Rachel Wells – The Age

Rising Fast Award
Matthew Browning – Sky Channel

Source: The Age
Release Date: 13 Nov 2006 00:00