AFL star Lance Franklin with Shout The Bar. Picture: Racing Victoria
AFL champion Lance Franklin has promised to shout the bar wherever he is if the aptly named Shout The Bar salutes in this year’s All-Star Mile.
Franklin threw his support behind the Gai Waterhouse-trained four-year-old recently, urging those in New South Wales to get behind the mare.
In its first two years the All-Star Mile has been won by horses from Western Australia (Regal Power) and Tasmania (Mystic Journey), with the unique trophy yet to head north.
“Shout The Bar, fingers crossed it gets voted in. An amazing horse, a Sydney horse trained by Gai Waterhouse, and how special it would be if it gets into the race?” Franklin said.
“There are so many horses from all around Australia and New Zealand in this race. Let’s all get behind Shout The Bar and no doubt, if it does get in and win, I will be shouting the bar somewhere.”
Franklin said he has enjoyed racing since he was a child with his father, Lance Snr, owning shares in horses previously.
He said his interest in racing continued to grow when he moved to Victoria to play with Hawthorn.
“My passion comes from …we actually had horses as a kid… mum and dad they love horses,” Franklin said.
“Moving to Melbourne at the age of 17, you pretty much walk into a culture of horses.
“I fell in love with it, going to the races most years at Flemington, you really do fall in love with the horses. Trackside you see how much power and what a beautiful animal they really are.”