http://today.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=659746

He’s an award-winning singer and songwriter, acclaimed actor, pin-up boy, TV star and raconteur, but in a glittering career studded with highlights, Australia has delivered to Chris Isaak a first – his own horse race!

And not just any old race. The Chris Isaak Handicap will run on Emirates Stakes Day, Saturday November 8 as part of the 2008 Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Chris will also be on hand at Flemington to present the trophy to the winning connections.

Leading concert tour promoter Andrew McManus has the race as part of his ongoing partnership with the VRC as the exclusive supplier of entertainment to the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

And with his usual charm and wit, the San Franciscan native expressed his delight at the upcoming event, saying:

“Up until now, the Chris Isaak Handicap always referred to my breath or my guitar playing!”

“People think I don't know about horses, but I’ve worked with musicians for years and they are very similar - only you need a bigger shovel to follow a musician.”

Being serious for just a moment, Chris has also been involved in the design for the winning trophy, which will be a special guitar shape modelled on his trademark acoustic.

Chris arrives in Melbourne in early November to promote his new album “Live In Australia” (Universal Music), which was released this week and to be a VIP guest at the Andrew McManus Presents marquee on Emirates Melbourne Cup Day and Emirates Stakes Day.

The popular performer has enjoyed a long love affair with Australia and can’t wait to be back again, particularly to see the running of the Chris Isaak Handicap.

"I am so proud they named this race after me. This is the most important thing anyone ever named after me...what were they thinking!"

Chris joined TODAY during the Melbourne Cup festivities this morning and he's set to tour Australia in the coming months. Tickets go on sale Friday, November 14.

Sorry, this didn't copy very well but it's a list of the horses running in the CI handicap.

My tip is #16 "Who's Your Daddy" !!

horse trainer weight
The Fuzz(NZ) David Hayes 60
Annenkov(IRE) Peter G Moody 59.5
Confectioner David Hayes 59.5
Ista Kareem(NZ) Colin Little 58.5
Rampant Lion Lindsay Gough 58
Rockwood Gai Waterhouse 58
Musket Peter Snowden 57.5
Zavite(NZ) Anthony Cummings 57.5
First Militia Brian Rowe 57
Ballack(NZ) Danny O'Brien 56
The Wolverine(NZ) Leon Corstens 55.5
Daka's Gem David Brideoake 54.5
Eskimo Dan(NZ) Bevan Laming 54
Macau Causeway Peter G Moody 54
God's Hand Bart Cummings 53.5
Luvuleo Graeme Rogerson 53.5
Pacino Clinton McDonald 53.5
Who's Ya Daddy John McArdle 53.5
Acosta David Hayes 53
Arlington Graeme Rogerson 53
Banana Man Michael Kent 53
Chantal Sally John Symons & Sheila Laxon 53
China Causeway Michael Kent 53
Divine Rebel(NZ) Michael Moroney 53
Dollops David Jolly 53
El Pretender Brenda McPhan 53
Instructor(NZ) John Sadler 53
Limani Toby Edmonds 53
Monte Cassino(NZ) Brian Jenkins 53
Mufasa Pat Carey 53
Parrish Ken Keys 53
Road to Rock Anthony Cummings 53
Sailor Salute Nigel Blackiston 53
Some Are Bent Robert Smerdon 53
Testalux Robbie Griffiths 53
The Fonz(NZ) Jarrod McLean 53
Zilzie(NZ) Peter G Moody 53

Good one jac! And...I'll probably regret this...(as a matter of fact, I KNOW I will, lol) but I can't go past No. 26 'Banana Man'.

(p.s. I've just noticed that Bart Cummings has a horse in that race called 'God's Hand'. How apropos right now. )

I can't find where I got that list from yesterday, but I do apologise. It's wrong, and had far too many horses listed.
So please, before laying bets check horses at:

http://www.racingvictoria.net.au/rvl/racin...?RACE_ID=145949

God knows what happened to "Who's ya Daddy"?? but "Banana Man's" still in the running!

ok - so what time is the race on??

perhaps Chris might get his next showbiz suit made up in the winning jockey's colours

Race 4 12:45

I'm backing #4 Rockwood and #12 Road to Rock.

Hate to sound like a real tout, but the field has narrowed as 4 horses have been scratched.
Adios to Confectioner, Eskimo Dan, Testalux and Parrish.
I'm off to the TAB.

and the winner is ..... Road To Rock

Had to be an omen in that!

just waiting for the cup presentation .....

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!! What just happened??

freaking rotten tv station cut to commericial just as Chris gets his hand on the cup

had to listen to that idiot say hello to his wife

It's old school I know, but here's some pics off the telly.

Excellent pics here:
http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.a...&src=quick#

and a few extras from Melbourne Cup Day here:

http://www.wireimage.com/SearchResults.asp...ld=C&vwmd=e

look at the background of those photos - It looks like they are getting ready to make Wicked Game 2

It looks great!

now if one of our computer whizs could tell me how to remove the watermark ........ Ms Cheryl L or Ms FBK .......

Here you go Katina..... I'm afraid the jockey's face is a bit of a mess because that's where most of the writing was - but it's the best I can do I'm afraid....

looks good to me

Those spray painting pics were SO CUTE!!

Jac
Thanks for the link there - fab pictures!!!!
x

Posted these in the other thread too LOL






]

better than on the ass of that horse LOL

Wow, these pics totally ROCK! Thanks FBK!

you're welcome! WATERMARK FREE even LOL

"Legendary singer/songwriter and vandal, Chris Isaak."

Very nice photos, shame McManus had to be on some of them However, I detest graffiti. Melbourne is cursed with it. Others may not agree. I don't like the sight of CI with a can of spray paint when he's not renovating furniture or fences or painting fiddly bits. Using a sharpie on t-shirts is fine I know it's all a joke, but it still gets up my nostrils.

I'm also feeling extremely proud of myself in that I didn't even attempt to watch the race yesterday, let alone record anything. Thank you to everyone who did, jac I haven't looked at a newspaper in weeks, having decided that all reading the papers does to me these days is get me all knotted and depressed with all the bad news and stupid politicians. Don't know whether to rescue any of the articles and/or photos of the promo trip or not. I suppose the fact that I'm thinking about it means that I'm not quite cured yet

Again, thank you to everyone for all the efforts!

well yeah, it's bad here too, but it's obvious this was a photo OP, and I'm sure it was something that was gonna get taken down, I DON"T KNOW FOR SURE of course but that's my guess!!

Found on the SF Days board:

http://www.blackshadow.com.au/2008/11/a-da...ourne-cup-2008/

click on link to Gallery for more pics.

Heya jac.
Cheers muchly for that mate.Cor......what a spunk.

And thanks to FBK too.All these pics are soooooo wicked.

Cheers,

welcome, I loved them!

Those eyes inspire my lyrics....and other things....LMAO!