The controversy surrounding advertising the Everest Horse race on the Sydney Opera House sails, has escalated. With Racing New South Wales cancelling the planned live barrier draw and temporarily suspending betting.

Laura Daly reports.

TRANSCRIPT

Public outrage at plans to promote The Everest onto the Sydney Opera House saw Racing NSW conduct the barrier draw in private.

The decision to cancel the live draw came hours after Sydney talkback radio host Alan Jones apologised on-air after he made heated comments about the Opera House chief executive.

Alan Jones, 2GB: “To Louise and to those people who have been offended, I apologise, I’m always happy to do that.”

Mr Jones previously called for Ms Herron to be sacked after she refused to promote the race on the building’s sails but says in hindsight he regrets his words.

Almost a quarter of a million people signed a petition protesting the use of the Opera House to promote the racing event.

Thousands are expected at a protest when the barrier draw results are projected onto the iconic landmark tonight.

Taking a different approach, comedians from the Chaser who staged a stunt ridiculing the New South Wales government’s plans to promote the race.

They projected the words “advertise here” alongside Mr Jones’ personal mobile number on the side of various Sydney locations, including Parliament House.

The Chaser tried to project the message onto the Opera House But were turned away by security.

Laura Daly, QUT News.