By Narelle Coulter
An Australian “cultural icon” was the star attraction at Casey Grange Village on Wednesday 5 September when the 2018 Melbourne Cup paid a visit.
The $200,000 cup, which was in Cranbourne as part of the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour, was escorted into the village clubhouse by 1959 Caulfield Cup winning jockey Trevor Dyer. It was soon surrounded by people keen for a photograph or a selfie.
In the lead up to the running of the 2018 carnival, the cup will visit 37 destinations in five countries including, for the first time, the UK, Ireland and Seoul, where it will be present for the Korean Cup.
“It is really about taking the cup to the people,” said tour organiser Joe McGrath.
Cup Ambassador Keith Hillier, who has enjoyed a long career as a racing writer and broadcaster, said the tour was a rare opportunity for people to view the Melbourne Cup up close and even hold the famous trophy.
“It is the most famous trophy in Australia. It is a cultural icon,” Mr Hillier said.
He said the cup was called a “loving” cup because of its three handle design, representing the owner, trainer and jockey.
“People love talking about the Melbourne Cup and they always have a memory to share. People will tell me stories about when they were 15 and took a day off school and backed a winner,” Mr Hillier said.
“To have your photo taken with it creates an indelible memory.”
The Cranbourne visit included a performance by the Cranbourne West Primary School Ukelele Band and school choir.
There was also a panel discussion featuring Mr McGrath, Mr Hillier, Mornington trainer Tony Noonan and racehorse owner and Retirement Communities Australia director Neil Wilson.
Mr McGrath paid tribute to Cranbourne’s rich racing history including the area’s association with jockey Pat Hyland who rode What a Nuisance to victory in the 1985 Melbourne Cup.
