Black Caviar to light up primetime in Seven’s AFL season opener

Seven’s Friday Night Football will broadcast the William Reid Stakes at Mooney Valley featuring champion mare Black Caviar LIVE at half-time during tonight's AFL season opner between Adelaide and Essendon.

With the cooperation of the Moonee Valley Racing Club, the AFL and Seven, fans around the country can now enjoy the very best of Australian sport showcased on the one night and the one channel.

After a pre-season shrouded in controversy, Essendon travels to Adelaide to face the resurgent Crows in the opening clash of the 2013 AFL premiership season, with live coverage starting at 8.30pm AEDT on Channel 7 (7mate in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth). At half-time the coverage will then cross to Moonee Valley for the running of the Group 1 William Reid Stakes.

In what could be her last start on a Victorian racetrack, the undefeated Black Caviar will chase her 24th consecutive victory before a national primetime audience.

The Managing Director of Seven Melbourne, Lewis Martin, said: "Black Caviar is an absolute sporting phenomenon who has captured the imagination of our nation. Seven’s Friday Night Football is the big stage. She deserves it, so do the fans, and we thank the AFL and the Moonee Valley Racing Club for making it possible."

Moonee Valley Racing Club Chief Executive Michael Browell said: "The Club believes this is a fantastic outcome, with racing fans around the country now able to share in this special occasion. With an anticipated sell-out crowd of more than 25,000 for this historic night, securing free to air coverage as an extension to the new partnership between Channel 7 and the Victorian Racing Industry will allow us to showcase this premier event to a national audience. The Club thanks Channel 7 and the AFL for allowing the William Reid Stakes to be incorporated into the opening game of the 2013 AFL Season."

AFL Deputy CEO Gillon McLachlan said he was certain football fans would appreciate the chance to watch the race during Seven’s Friday night telecast.

"Black Caviar has been one of the great Australian sports stories with her unbeaten run and a broadcast of the William Reid Stakes will have huge interest for all sports fans, and we are delighted to work with the match broadcasters the Seven Network to bring this to the public."