Parties are off and racing

Racing is often used as an analogy to politics due to the fact that elections often fall during the Spring Racing Carnival. And it’s true – this year we’ve seen both horses, and politicians, running around, each out to claim a prize. So without further adieu, here’s Star’s form guide to the 2007 Federal Election for the seats affecting Greater Dandenong voters, compiled by Shaun Inguanzo.
INCUMBENT sensation Ann Corcoran failed to qualify at Labor’s Preselection Derby for the creme de la creme that is the Isaacs Cup.
Beating the mare to the post was the stallion Mark Dreyfus, who is fresh on the political racing scene after making a name for himself in the country region of Nowingee, in the state’s north west.
Time will tell if he can convince punters who backed Ms Corcoran that he is the successor to her crown.
With the margin in Isaacs at 1.6 per cent, it’s anyone’s race, and Liberal Party colt Ross Fox has been stunning locals with track times in his bid to close the gap on his more experienced opponent.
Democrats filly Laura Chipp joins the fray having come from the genetic line of equine trailblazer Don Chipp.
Is she all name, or is Ms Chipp the next big thing on the political race circuit? Only you can decide.
Rounding out the contenders is Greens stallion Colin Long, who is hoping the growing concern about climate change will suit his race style on 24 November.
Isaacs is the big prize as far as Greater Dandenong punters are concerned, and with its tight margin will be closely scrutinised by political commentators.MANY have been quick to call him a political gelding, but Labor’s incumbent in Hotham, Simon Crean, is out to prove he’s got what it takes to still be classed a stallion after holding the seat since 1990.
While the turf hosting the Hotham Plate will suit the former Labor Party leader, Labor’s campaign to take on new leadership will test whether that is indeed what the punters want come election day.
Stallion Vincent Arborea, a TAFE lecturer who was once a surveyor, is the Liberal Party’s tip to win the prize, but a hefty 7.4 per cent handicap in Hotham means he’ll have to work extra hard to bridge the gap, if national polls reflect the nation’s attitude towards his stable.
Either way, the two major party entries will start out as strong favourites among the little known yearlings, the Democrats’ Craig Cadby, and the Greens’ Matthew Billman.ALAN Griffin won the last Bruce Stakes for Labor and is returning in a bid to defend his crown.
He’s been a busy stallion, jetsetting around the nation as Opposition spokesman on Veterans’ Affairs, and is yet to really return to Greater Dandenong to show off his matured form.
Also returning is the nemesis he narrowly nosed out to pass the post in first place –Liberal Party mare Angela Randall, who is back for another crack at the coveted prize.
A hard worker on the track, Ms Randall has been keeping in tip-top form between elections by volunteering with Kiwanis International, a community service organisation helping disadvantaged children.
Ms Randall is showing improved form coming into the Bruce Stakes, but she’ll need it to overcome a 3.4 per cent margin.
Greens stallion Rob Cassidy will look to blast out of the gates, backed by frustration at the Howard stable’s slow start on climate change and water management.
Democrats colt Richard Grossi was born and bred in Dandenong North and will hope to use the home town tag to his advantage, with the locals likely to warm to the budding politician.
As the Democrats swim against the current to avoid political oblivion this election, Mr Grossi looks confident heading into the barrier – a good sign for the party.