Goondiwindi to Host the Melbourne Cup Visit
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14 September 2018
GOONDIWINDI TO HOST MELBOURNE CUP VISIT
Goondiwindi has been selected for a visit of the Lexus Melbourne Cup on its journey to Flemington.
The $200,000 Cup will be in Goondiwindi on Thursday, 20 September as part of the 2018 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour. Residents will have their chance to see the Cup on Gunsynd’s home soil throughout the day before celebrations conclude with a special fundraising dinner where one lucky local will win a trip to the Cox Plate to see Winx in action.
An extensive schedule for the Cup’s visit has been prepared and will commence with a street stall outside of Bishops newsagents before a visit to Kaloma, schools and hotels in the town.
The official arrival of the Cup will be by boat, with race enthusiasts encouraged to attend at the new boat ramp and pontoon from 5 pm. Mayor Graeme Scheu will welcome the Cup with a civic reception before it is escorted to the special drought relief dinner at O’Sheas Royal Hotel.
‘Goondiwindi has a rich racing tradition and this visit is sure to be one to remember,’ said Councillor Scheu.
‘The Melbourne Cup is the pinnacle of Australian horseracing, so being selected to host a visit here in our region is something we can all be really proud of. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I would encourage everyone who can to get down to see it.’
The Drought Relief Dinner will include interviews with Queensland premier trainer Tony Gollan and former Melbourne Cup winner and Gunsynd jockey Larry Olsen.
The Goondiwindi Race Club will be conducting a raffle with all proceeds of the dinner going to Aussie Helpers for drought support.
‘It will be an honour to have Tony Gollan and Larry Olsen speak in Goondiwindi,’ said Councillor Scheu. ‘Our great Goondiwindi Grey helped to put us on the map, and this visit will be another mark of Goondiwindi’s place in racing history.’