NewsBite

The Melbourne Cup stops by a Donald shearing shed on its tour of Victoria.
The Melbourne Cup stops by a Donald shearing shed on its tour of Victoria.

The Melbourne Cup’s epic journey to Flemington

Michelle Rose, Nicole Cleary
2 min read and 1 video·October 30, 2020 - 7:00AM
Herald Sun

A field of superstar horses will gallop 3200m in a bid to snare the Melbourne Cup, but the coveted trophy itself has had a much longer journey to the Flemington winner’s podium.

The People’s Cup has traversed Australia for the past two months, bringing the Melbourne Cup spirit to 27 towns across every state.

The all-domestic Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour included pit stops at towns affected by bushfires and drought, as well as rural regions that form part of the fabric of racing.

Its expedition kicked off in Moree, New South Wales, on September 4, before crisscrossing the country on a series of physical and – for the first time in its 17-year history – virtual visits due to COVID restrictions.

Danial Spencer, nephew of leading jockey Tommy Berry, in his uncle’s silks.
Danial Spencer, nephew of leading jockey Tommy Berry, in his uncle’s silks.
Ted meets the $200,000 trophy on its visit to the Marlo Hotel.
Ted meets the $200,000 trophy on its visit to the Marlo Hotel.
Jemimah Webb, 18, of Charlton, from The District Dance Studio.
Jemimah Webb, 18, of Charlton, from The District Dance Studio.

When they couldn’t physically visit towns, the Cup tour team and special guests instead dialled in virtually to groups, schools and fundraising events.

The tour took in fire-ravaged towns of Marlo, Buchan and Mallacoota in Victoria, Kangaroo Island in South Australia, Casino in New South Wales and Latrobe in Tasmania.

10 iconic Melbourne Cup Tour moments

It visited the owners of reigning Melbourne Cup champion Vow and Declare in Gympie, Queensland, and Katherine, Northern Territory, in support of anti-bullying organisation Dolly’s Dream.

Back in Victoria, it has spent the past month travelling to regional areas including the Grampians, Donald, Birchip, Horsham, Kyabram, Bendigo, Geelong, Murrindindi and Mansfield.

Mallacoota tour boat operator Dale Winward.
Mallacoota tour boat operator Dale Winward.
Schoolchildren Eva Coffey (and her horse Ruddy) and Zali Angle in Birchip.
Schoolchildren Eva Coffey (and her horse Ruddy) and Zali Angle in Birchip.
Local Wally bumped into the Cup while he was reading by the water in Buchan.
Local Wally bumped into the Cup while he was reading by the water in Buchan.

Ferry operator Dale Winward was among those to get up close and personal with the famed Cup in Mallacoota.

“Mallacoota is so displaced from the rest of Victoria, so the support has been fantastic,” he said.

Mr Winward offers guided tours on 1910 passenger boat MV Loch-Ard, which was built the same year Comedy King became the first international horse to win the Cup.

The tour also visited some of the 24 places to have nabbed a spot in this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour National Sweep, with the lucky town allocated to the winning horse set to get $50,000 for a local charity project.

VOrbost North Primary School students Amy, Seb, Paris and Draegon.
VOrbost North Primary School students Amy, Seb, Paris and Draegon.
Mallacoota Anglers member Eileen Buckland.
Mallacoota Anglers member Eileen Buckland.
Kerry Vogel, manager at Kooka’s Country Cookies in Donald, western Victoria.
Kerry Vogel, manager at Kooka’s Country Cookies in Donald, western Victoria.
Dancers Sofie Sarr, 14, of Donald, and Jemimah Webb, 18, of Charlton, from from The District Dance Studio.
Dancers Sofie Sarr, 14, of Donald, and Jemimah Webb, 18, of Charlton, from from The District Dance Studio.
Local farmer and racing fanatic Mick Foott said he would be the envy of his friends after the Cup’s visit to his wheat farm just outside Birchip.
Local farmer and racing fanatic Mick Foott said he would be the envy of his friends after the Cup’s visit to his wheat farm just outside Birchip.
The Melbourne Cup on a burst out jetty on the river.
The Melbourne Cup on a burst out jetty on the river.

Victoria Racing Club chairman Amanda Elliott said in an exceptionally challenging year, it was more important than ever to share the magic of the iconic Melbourne Cup with Australian communities.

Since its beginning, the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour has travelled more than 700,000km and visited more than 500 regional, rural and metropolitan destinations, giving people a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get a first-hand look at the world-famous trophy.

The Melbourne Cup Carnival begins with AAMI Victoria Derby Day on Saturday.

Sally Rowe and Ann French at the Donald Op Shop.
Sally Rowe and Ann French at the Donald Op Shop.
Eva Coffey and her horse Ruddy. Picture- Nicole Cleary
Eva Coffey and her horse Ruddy. Picture- Nicole Cleary
Holly Baird and retrained thoroughbread Gertie, who is now a successful eventing horse, in Marlo.
Holly Baird and retrained thoroughbread Gertie, who is now a successful eventing horse, in Marlo.
Buchan and Gelantipy Race Club president Peter Sandy, who is also a clerk of the course at tracks around East Gippsland.
Buchan and Gelantipy Race Club president Peter Sandy, who is also a clerk of the course at tracks around East Gippsland.
Grace McAuliffe and Jackson Murphy at Buchan Primary School.
Grace McAuliffe and Jackson Murphy at Buchan Primary School.
Farmer Peter Ryan of Donald holds the Melbourne Cup in his woolshed.
Farmer Peter Ryan of Donald holds the Melbourne Cup in his woolshed.

MORE MELBOURNE CUP NEWS

THE BEST FOOD HAMPERS FOR YOUR MELBOURNE CUP CARNIVAL PARTY

THE 11-YEAR-OLD JOCKEY WHO WON THE MELBOURNE CUP

ALL-STAR AUSSIE LINE-UP SET TO ROCK MELBOURNE CUP CARNIVAL

Cup Day also takes on a virtual flavour this year, with the running of The Race of Dreams — a digital contest between a field of 24 champions including Phar Lap, Makybe Diva, Vintage Crop and Might and Power.

Mr Winward will join the millions of Australians watching this year’s race at home, after crowds were shut out of Flemington.

“I’m not much of a punter these days, but I do enjoy the Melbourne Cup and it’s one of the few occasions I’ll have a bet,” said Mr Winward.

How do you celebrate the race that stops the nation? Share your Melbourne Cup pictures and memories below.

Pictures: Nicole Cleary. Words: Michelle Rose, Charlotte Brundrett.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/superracing/melbourne-cup/the-melbourne-cups-epic-journey-to-flemington/news-story/c79c6f18ceac850c43e34eb87a9b6c6f