Bunbury was given a rare chance on Monday to get up close and personal with one of Australia’s most coveted sport’s prizes – the Melbourne Cup.
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The solid gold trophy valued at $175,000 accompanies a $3 million paycheck for the winner of the race that stops a nation on the first Tuesday in November.
The trophy is currently on a nationwide tour and will also visit the Perth Racing Dinner and the Broome Cup race meeting this week.
While in Bunbury, the Melbourne Cup visited the Dolphin Discovery Centre, took a tram ride down Victoria Street, whipped up excitement at Carey Park Primary School and was the guest of honour at a special meeting of the Bunbury Trotting Club.
Accompanying the trophy was the 10th Light Horse – Bunbury Troop and former jockey Wayne Harris who claimed victory in the famous race in 1994 about Jeune.
“I begged trainer David Hayes to give me a ride that year,” he told those gathered at the Trotting Club for lunch.
“Jeune was a bit of an unusual character and a few other jockeys turned down the ride on him but I didn’t mind.
“On the day he bought his best and we won. I’ve never experienced anything like it.”
Harris said he was overwhelmed with emotion by his victory and wishes everyone gets the chance to feel the way he did that day.