Читать книгу Prince of Penzance - Kristen Manning - Страница 14

Chapter Seven

Towards Flemington

The final field for the Melbourne Cup is decided on the previous Saturday evening, after the running of the opening day of Australia’s biggest racing week.

Owners, trainers, jockeys, media, officials and dignitaries converge on the VRC Committee Room from where the barrier draw — overseen by Chief Steward Terry Bailey — is televised.

Just three Victorian races — the Caulfield Cup, the W. S. Cox Plate and the Melbourne Cup — make a show of the barrier draw. For most races it is a computerised process that takes place behind closed doors.

But for the big races there is fanfare, especially for the Melbourne Cup.

Big displays of each horse’s colours in the background. Terry Bailey onstage. Compere Jason Richardson enthusiastically announcing the results, interviewing the representatives of each competitor.

One at a time a horse’s name is drawn out, someone involved with each runner invited to choose a miniature Melbourne Cup (a wonderful souvenir they get to keep) underneath which is a number … a barrier.

Groans as an owner draws a dreaded wide gate, smiles as another makes the ideal selection.

Usually the attention is centred on the favoured runners, the big-name trainers and jockeys. The barrier draw in 2015 was unique, with the most photographed participant being someone involved with one of the extreme outsiders of the field.

Stevie Payne.

As he approached the stage, Jason Richardson told onlookers, ‘Steve told me he’s after barrier one or two.’

There was no hesitation. So quickly did Stevie reach over and pick up a little Cup that his adored sister Michelle was still taking her place on the stage behind him.

‘Yes!’ Stevie cried.

‘And he’s picked barrier one!’ Jason roared over the applause.

‘He has the magic touch, your brother,’ Jason said to Michelle.

Darren Weir agreed … ‘A perfect barrier draw,’ he said. ‘I am really happy with that, it gives the horse a chance to get into a nice spot and a nice rhythm, it gives him the chance to run well. I’m not sure whether he’s good enough but he’s good enough to run top ten.’

Two days later the racing action headed to the CBD for the annual Melbourne Cup Parade, Swanston Street closed to traffic as thousands lined the street.

A horse drawn carriage led the way, Bart Cummings’ son Anthony and grandson James proudly grasping his very first Melbourne Cup, won by Light Fingers in 1965. The great trainer was honoured by a procession of children donned in the silks of his twelve Cup winners, carrying the smaller versions of the Cup awarded to the winning trainer.

The 2015 Melbourne Cup, meanwhile, was held by VRC Chairman Michael Burn and Lord Mayor Robert Doyle. Both were beaming, so happy to be associated with the iconic trophy.

There was music, dancing, previous winners of the big race applauded … Efficient, Brew, Might And Power; all residents at Living Legends out near Melbourne Airport.

Held since 1983, this parade over the years has seen many a Melbourne Cup winner make a trip to town … the likes of Subzero, Rogan Josh, Doriemus, Saintly, Arwon, Baghdad Note, Gala Supreme, Just A Dash, What A Nuisance, Piping Lane, Hyperno, Van Der Hum, Think Big and Black Knight admired by many.

Following the horses was a car for each runner, connections treated to a little glimpse of being a star. An Emirates red vest emblazoned with each horse’s name was proudly worn, interviews were conducted.

It was a big thrill for a few of Prince Of Penzance’s connections to be involved. Darren Lonsdale’s daughter Emily remembers being starstruck sitting next to Michelle. Sandy McGregor was there too, sharing a special day with his son Charlie and daughter Jessica.

Channel 7 covered the parade, and its journalists spoke with Darren Weir and Michelle Payne.

‘We’re happy we’ve got him in the right order and we think the horse deserves his spot in the race,’ Darren said.

‘It is just a great thrill to be in our greatest race,’ said Michelle. I am pretty confident we’ve got a good chance. It’s just so exciting to be here — it’s been a race that I’ve watched from when I was a kid. I used to get so excited; we’d stop at school every year and watch the race. To be a part of it is unreal.’

Michelle wouldn’t just be part of the 2015 Melbourne Cup. She would be part of the race’s entire history.