The 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup dropped into town last week, doing the rounds of Rochester on Friday, October 4.
Melbourne Cup-winning horses Prince of Penzance (2015) and Twilight Payment (2020), renowned horse trainers, racing industry experts and Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne came along for the ride, entertaining audiences throughout the day.
Beginning bright and early with breakfast at the Rochester GrainCorp Silos, the Rochester Lions Club and Mum & Me Coffee catered the morning, keeping a strong crowd fed and caffeinated.
Special guests Victoria Racing Club enterprise analyst Stewart Cook, Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Shiela Laxon, VRC board member Ann Peacock and Burnewang North owner Catherine Hains spoke to master of ceremonies Brad McEwan about their experiences in the industry.
Mr Cook also explained how Rochester became a destination for the cup, with Rochester Pony Club district commissioner Ange Acocks applying for the opportunity last year.
More than 100 towns put their hands up and 39 were chosen for the honour, including Rochy.
Ms Acocks said it was a rare opportunity for both the community and the Pony Club.
“It’s all been very exciting. The pony club kids are really enthused about it, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she said.
“The best part has been the opportunity for the community to come together and for the kids to meet some amazing people.”
Guests had a chance to hold the 2024 Melbourne Cup and meet 2015 winner Prince of Penzance and 2020 victor Twilight Payment.
Following the breakfast, the cup and its crew made their way to the Rochester Sports Museum for a tour, before visiting businesses in town.
A window-decorating competition was held for the occasion, with Sportspower, Chemmart Pharmacy, The Cafe Rochester and Petit Vélo among those involved.
Chemmart took out the top prize, chosen by the Victoria Racing Club team.
Business owners also got a chance to take photos with the cup and the horses, before they headed off to their next event at Rochester Pony Club, joined by Michelle Payne, who in 2015 became the first female jockey to win the Cup.
At 1pm the procession made its way to the pony club, where the club had a private audience with Ms Payne, Ms Laxon and Mr Cook.
Mr Cook shared some facts about the trophy and its history before facilitating a question-and-answer session with Ms Payne and Ms Laxon.
Both women shared their experiences with the Melbourne Cup and their journey to success, before giving the floor to the young club members to ask their own questions.
Ms Laxon enjoyed seeing how big the club was and how enthusiastic the children were about riding.
“I love coming to a place like this where, obviously, it’s quite a big pony club and there are a lot of enthusiastic children,” she said.
“As time has gone on, there’s less and less children riding, so it really means a lot to me to come here and see that there are still kids who ride and are very enthusiastic about it.”
After the discussion, club members saddled up in full riding gear and took to Windridge Oval for a parade alongside Prince of Penzance and Twilight Payment.
Ms Payne and Ms Laxon led the way, holding the 1990 and 2024 Melbourne cups.
The parade stopped at the winners’ circle, where the club members circled Ms Payne and Ms Laxon, who held the trophies up in the middle of the procession.
To end the day off strong, everyone was invited to enjoy a barbecue and some fun activities for the children on the oval.
To be featured in next week’s Campaspe News, send your photos with the Cup to editorial@campaspenews.com.au.