By KATH GANNAWAY
TWO famous Victorian icons with a horse-power connection came together at Belgrave last week.
The 18-carat gold Melbourne Cup was the star attraction at Puffing Billy railway station on Tuesday as part of the Victorian Racing Club’s 16-week Emirates Melbourne Cup tour of Australia and New Zealand.
The tour provides community groups, councils, schools and tourism and racing bodies with a chance to celebrate and raise funds for local causes as it travels more than 350,000 kilometres to 270 destinations in the lead- up to the big day at Flemington in November.
Students from Belgrave’s St Thomas More Primary School, Puffing Billy staff and volunteers and international visitors heading off on the first train ride of the day were among visitors who were thrilled to see the $175,000 trophy in real life.
Engine driver Graeme Daniel and students Jacob and Mackay Bateson donned white gloves for a chance to hold the trophy which is part of a 154-year history of racing in Victoria, and the prize for an event that is watched by millions of people across the world each year,
Mackay said he didn’t know much about horse racing … “but it was really cool to hold over a thousand dollars worth of something.”
Jacob said he was looking forward to watching the race after having held the very same cup that will be presented.
“The most exciting part is that it is pure gold and I got to hold it,” he said.
Puffing Billy’s Nadine Hutchins said it was exciting for Puffing Billy too to be chosen as one of the tour stopovers bringing two tourism icons together.
“It’s great to have something different happening for our passengers and really nice for our volunteers to have the chance to enjoy something like this as well,” Ms Hutchins said.
The cup itself is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship by Hardy Brothers Jewellers who have recreated the ‘Loving Cup’ design conceived by master jeweller, James Steeth, in 1919.
The three handles symbolise the relationship between the winning jockey, the trainer and the owner.
VRC spokesperson Joe McGrath said the tour had captured the hearts of communities far and wide … including Belgrave.
