Footballers fit nicely into Green Mankini

– Sarah Schwager
A GROUP of Cranbourne footballers had their dream come true after their racehorse won at the Caulfield Guineas Day.
The boys, who grew up together and all started playing for the Cranbourne Football Club at the same time, celebrated their win at the Cranbourne Cup on Sunday.
While the group had drifted apart in recent years as they moved on to other clubs, the bond was reformed when a few of the mates decided to invest in a racehorse and the deal was done last October.
The horse, named Green Mankini after Borat’s costume which stuck after one of the group, Brent McGrath, came up with the name, won the first race at the popular Caulfield event on Saturday.
The horse was also ridden by Cranbourne jockey Craig Newitt.
Brad McPherson said while the group of friends, who range between 24 and 26 years old, still lived in Cranbourne, it took the horse to bring them back together again.
And things are only looking up for the two-year-old who is favourite at its start this Saturday at the Caulfield Cup.
“Since we were about 15 we’ve all had an interest in horses, punting and so on,” Mr McPherson said.
“Now it’s turned into a fairytale.”
He said the group made the Cranbourne Cup an annual event but this year was much sweeter.
One of the boys was planning to run out onto the field in his own green mankini at Caulfield but lost his nerve.
However, Mr McPherson said the one-piece might still make an appearance in the near future.