Even the best in the business can have a slip of the tongue”¦ proving legends aren’t immune to pronouncing a town’s tricky name.

The locals were left amused, but not offended, when Gai Waterhouse presented a brief video to promote the next stop on the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour. The first lady of racing enthusiastically announced “The Cup” would be arriving in “Witchiepoo” this Friday.

She almost got it right. Wycheproof in Victoria will play host to the $750,000 18-carat-gold trophy as part of the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour.

Since its inaugural journey in 2003, the tour has travelled more than a million kilometers, visiting 640 destinations to unite communities and provide, for many, the once-inlife-time opportunity to get up close and experience the magic of the “People’s Cup”. 

This year’s tour takes in 39 destinations across the globe, with the final route spanning six countries including Japan, USA, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Wycheproof Community Resource Centre (WCRC) manager, Marney Durie, said the community was excited about being part of this year’s tour.

“Mt. Wycheproof is set to showcase many community assets, whilst celebrating 150 years of township, so it really is a fitting year to host the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour,” she said.

The WCRC will also be part of the Melbourne Cup Tour National Sweep, which will see 24 rural and regional Cup Tour destinations across Australia be allocated a barrier for the Melbourne Cup. The town, which draws the barrier of the winning horse, will be presented with a cash prize of $50,000 to put towards a charity of their choice.

The entire community is set to celebrate, ever so slight mispronunciations, and all.

Big talent meets small town charm

At the time of going to press, the Mt. Wycheproof and District Racing Club was thrilled to confirm that Group 1 winning jockey, Harry Coffey, together with his famous trainer/father Austy, would also be in attendance early morning at Bakery on Broadway. The bakery will host the ABC Wimmera Radio team from approximately 6.30 a.m. and be conducting an array of interviews.

The legendary Harry is returning to the Mt. Wycheproof community where it all began, and where he celebrated his first ever racing winner (many years ago). Harry has rapidly progressed to achieve incredible highs as a talented jockey athlete, including riding in the Melbourne Cup.

Harry remains ever-so humble and makes time for his significant fan base, of which there are plenty across “The Mallee” and Mt. Wycheproof, whilst including many from the neighbouring community of Birchip (where father Austy grew up), and down the road at Berriwillock (where mother Maree hails from).

Footnote: Harry and Austy will be in the community on Friday morning – making stops for a “Coffee with the Coffeys” at Bakery on Broadway, a visit to Wycheproof P- 12 College and a photo-op on Mount Wycheproof before getting back to business for a busy weekend of racing. 

This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 30 August 2024.