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Published: November 5th 2018
Melbourne Cup Parade
The stilt walkers and roller skaters added plenty of colour and excitement to the paradeToday most of the tour group went lawn bowling, which would have been great fun, however because it was our first time in Melbourne we decided not to bowl but to explore the city a bit. This also meant we were able to watch the Melbourne Cup Parade which was very spectacular indeed.
The parade started at 12 noon and we took up our position near the hotel around 11am. By the time the parade started crowds were 10 deep along the route so definitely a good move being early! We were right where the parade started and there was plenty to entertain us as the participants arrived, the crowd built and the parade came together. There were stilt walkers,clowns, marching girls, highland dancers, skaters dressed as jockeys plenty of colour and variety to keep people interested! The undoubted stars of the show though were the past Melbourne Cup winners and it was super cool to have them as part of the parade. The legendary Might and Power who won 2 Cups - on each occasion piloted by Lower Hutt lad and champion jockey Jimmy Cassidy. To have these champion horse parading quietly down Swantson St in the heart of
Melbourne Cup
The ultimate prize. Made from Australian gold (mined in Queensland) it takes 1000's of hours to hand craft the cup and it has a value well on excess of $200,000. Melbourne was a very special thing.
Each of the jockeys and connections were involved being transported around the route in classicTtriumph Stag convertibles. The exception being star jockey Craig Williams who will ride Youngstar in the Cup. The interviewer asked him why he was walking not riding in the car and his reply was pretty cool. Basically, it was a chance to get up close to the fans, acknowledge them and thank them for their support. As a family man with four daughters it was awesome to see so many families (especially the kids) involved with racing in general and the Melbourne Cup in particular. What didn't quite so well was the interviewer asked Williams daughter who was around 7 if she though her dad would win the Cup? She replied He might go close but no I don't think so!
After the parade we wandered along the river bamk and ended up att he entrance to the MCG - what an impressive stadium that is! We then headed back down the river towards town and ended up having something to eat at Pilgrim - a really nice place for casual dining right on the banks of the
Might and Power takes centre stage
Champion Stayer and 2two time Melbourne Cup winner Might and Power takes centre stage. Yarra river. The Who Shot the Barman (runner in the Melbourne Cup owned by the (in)famous O'Leary boys from Wanganui) were there as well and as befits their reputation having a fine old time! Some were dressed in the famous orange with white circle colours the grand old campaigner will wear in the Cup tomorrow.
Then it was back to our hotel for a brief rest before heading off to the Pumphouse Pub for our Cup eve grand dinner. It was a fantastic evening - Our table was first equal in the quiz and had to take part in a tiebreaker. She didn't win that but got a Jeanette a $50 win bet for her troubles. The horse her bet was on is Cross Counter a top chance paying around around $11 so hopefully that comes in! Early start tomorrow for the big day super excited! Hopefully the weather will hold but all indications are the rain will come in the morning.
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