ALANA Conway will attempt to tame the horses and huge crowds at Moonee Valley’s Cox Plate day after being chosen to sing the national anthem.
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The 22-year-old from Maiden Gully was travelling around Germany, celebrating graduating her Bachelor of Music course when she got the call up.
She said it was an opportunity she couldn’t say neigh to.
“I told them I wasn’t doing anything that day and I would definitely do it. It’s always a huge thrill to get to perform at a big day of races,” she said.
“I love going along, seeing all the fashion.” After finishing as a semi-finalist in Australia’s Got Talent 2010, Alana has performed at a number of horse races, including this year’s Bendigo Pacing Cup, the 2010 Bendigo Cup, and in front of Black Caviar at Caulfield.
“The Caulfield race was amazing. Black Caviar was on and about 10 minutes before her race there were people still lining up so they just opened the gates, they couldn’t process the tickets fast enough. I was quite nervous in the end, performing in front of that many people.”
She said even after performing on a nationally televised show and at large events, there was always lingering nerves.
“I still get incredibly nervous, but I try to think about the feeling afterwards.”
As well as her burgeoning singing career – which has kept her busy playing and recording music – Alana is a keen netballer for Strathfieldsaye.
Her ultimate goal is to record an album and continue to perform on the big stage. “The Melbourne Cup would be amazing, or the grand final at the MCG, especially if Carlton got in there.”
Alana is playing in Bendigo in November with Australia’s Got Talent 2009 winner Mark Vincent and Father Robert Gaelea in a special performance at the Sacred Heart Cathedral.