The “People’s Cup” arrived in Wycheproof on Friday morning in a High Rail V-Line vehicle on the infamous railway tracks that bisect the main street, and it spent the day touring around town with VRC officials and local racing legends.

Wycheproof was the 25th stop, of the 39 destinations across six countries that have hosted the prestigious tour in 2024, showcasing the global appeal of the Lexus Melbourne Cup.

Special guests Harry Coffey, Austy Coffey and Merv Keane were at Bakery on Broadway to welcome the Cup and greet Victorian Racing Club officials, Joe Mc- Grath, the Cup’s security guard and tour ambassador Des Gleeson, retired stipendiary steward.

Harry spent the morning doing interviews with Rebekah something he is hoping to better in coming years.

Affiliation

Mt. Wycheproof & District Racing Club Volunteer Committee Member, Jackie Noonan, introduced VRC officials and Des spoke briefly of his affiliation with the Cup and the joy of bringing it back to the country, where his love of racing began, having grown up in Koroit. Des worked as a steward in Victoria for 35 years and was chief steward from 1996 to 2008. From Bakery on Broadway, Ted Goddard transported the Melbourne Cup Lowe and Angus Verley from the ABC and members of the Victoria Racing Club, highlighting his fond connections to the Elders Mt Wycheproof Cup Day and the Melbourne Cup.

Harry recounted the excitement of being in the jockeys’ room prior to the Cup and being loaded into barrier 1, with twenty-three horses entering the barriers alongside you. Harry has had two rides in the Melbourne Cup, with his best finish coming in 2022 when he rode Grand Promenade into 14th place, and special guests to the Wycheproof P-12 College, in his Model T Ford where the students were waiting excitedly for their special visit. Living Legends, Pirates of Penzance and Twilight Payment were also in attendance at Saffin oval and provided many special moments for the children.

Harry was delighted to be re-acquainted with Pirates of Penzance, noting that he rode him in his first ride after winning the Melbourne Cup. Harry spoke to the students explaining the esteem in which

racing circles all around the world and told them of his love for the Elders Mt Wycheproof Cup race meeting, which he had his first winner in 2011.

Harry jokingly told the students “I’m lucky I’m getting to ride some faster horses now, so I’ve been in Melbourne on Derby Day lately, but it won’t be long, and I’ll be back here and that will be all right by me”.

Harry stayed around for some photographs but had to race off to Pakenham to ride in their race meet later in the day.

Busy day

From the school, the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup had a busy day, visiting Mt. Wycheproof where King of the Mount representatives, Lions Club members and Friends of Mount were in attendance to have photographs taken with the iconic Cup. In the afternoon the Cup toured around town, making a special visit to the East Wimmera Hospital Service – Wycheproof Campus, Wycheproof Community Resource Centre, Wycheproof Op Shop, Men’s Shed, Million Bushel Grain Silo Complex and of course the Mt Wycheproof and District Racing Club.

An official community welcome event was hosted in the evening at the Wycheproof Shire Hall to launch the 2024 Elders Mt Wycheproof Cup Day “Derby Day in the Country” with guest speakers providing unique insights into the “Cup” and the Elders Mt Wycheproof Cup Day.

The catering by Tuscan on Calder, drinks and the music from Brody Glen were enjoyed by an appreciative crowd of people from across the North Central, and it was a fitting end to a fun and memorable day in Wycheproof for everyone who had a chance to get their hands on the 18 carat gold cup.

“The Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour in Mt. Wycheproof was nothing short of spectacular,” said Jackie Noonan, Volunteer Committee Member for Mt. Wycheproof & District Racing Club.

“It was an incredible experience to see our town come together to celebrate the People’s Cup across businesses, clubs, education, health, tourism, sport and more, and launch our own Elders Mt. Wycheproof Cup as the finale. Now, as the dust settles, it’s time to shift gears and keep the momentum going”.

See all the pictures in the issue.
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 3 September 2024.