Gunbower Racing Club is taking a big punt on itself – and the payoff would be huge.

But more for Gunbower Lions Club and Echuca Regional Health’s Wellbeing Centre, because there’s $50,000 up for grabs as part of the 2025 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour National Sweep.

With 24 rural and regional destinations on its itinerary this year, each town visited gets a barrier in the Lexus Melbourne Cup, giving them the chance to win the $50K for a charity of their choice.

Not wanting to count her chickens before they race, Gunbower Racing Club president Vicky McGillvray says she is backing the club to bring home the bacon.

She plans to evenly split the club’s prize money between the Lions and ERH.

“You have to be positive – our club is a winner having the cup here this year and so I reckon we should be a winner all the way,” Vicky said.

“We had a fantastic turnout on a very wintry Thursday, and everyone wanted two things – to have their picture taken with the $850,000 Lexus Melbourne Cup and get a sausage from the Lions’ barbie,” she said.

“Well, three probably, many were happy to stay inside the pavilion and out of the cold, the wind and the occasional shower.”

But the weather didn’t stop everyone lining the route of the 100m Gunny Gift. The race saw a collection of local sporting identities (and a couple of more interesting characters), prepared to sedately trot along behind the pacesetters, as Gunbower Cricket Club’s Jed Brereton stormed down the outside to snatch victory in a photo finish.

Students from the local primary school were also holding up signs cheering on principal Travis Cartwright. Fearing a pulled muscle in the chilly conditions, ahead of an umpiring stint in the football finals at the weekend, he never really got into top gear.

Vicky said the community event, which ran all day and wrapped up with a Q&A session at the Gunbower Hotel, was a tangible reason why her little racing club, and town, got the nod for this year visit.

She said both have such “an amazing reputation for delivering on the day.” It was inevitable the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour would eventually arrive at the Murray River town.

There was plenty for everyone to do inside the pavilion – from decorating your own wooden cup to take home, to decorating your own ‘cup’ cakes (with Hannah’s Bakes), which you could also take home or eat on the spot.

There was also a memorabilia stand, with Molly The Horse making an appearance in her finest racing attire, and at a different pace, the Clydesdales were also there to offer free wagon rides.

The Plains Wanderer coffee van did a brisk warming business and many people – especially the Gunbower Primary School students – were happy to take a goodie bag giveaway with them at the end of the day.

“The whole event wrapped up at the Gunbower Hotel with a Q&A session with VRC cup officials and local identities. Vicky added, “it was the icing on our,” ‘cup cake.’

“The whole town would like to thank the VRC for including us in this year’s tour and, no pressure, but now we are looking forward to seeing our horse win the cup and deliver us the $50,000,” she laughed.

This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 4 September 2025.