Cup visit a coup for town

It is the race that stops a nation and on Friday the Melbourne Cup will bring that honour to Boyup Brook when the cup itself visits as part of an international tour.

Aside from Perth, Boyup Brook is the only Western Australia town that will receive the Lexus Melbourne Cup as part of its annual tour, which will see it travel to the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand and South Korea.

Friday’s visit will be used to celebrate the upcoming Upper Blackwood Agricultural Society’s Dinninup Show centenary on November 6, which is always held on Melbourne Cup day.

Dinninup Show secretary Susan Titchmarsh said the celebrations on Friday would welcome the whole community to have the opportunity to “catch a glimpse” of the cup.

“It celebrates a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with a full program of events,” she said.

“Thank you to the committee for all their hard work in putting this together in such a short time.

“We were in total disbelief when we got the approval, we didn’t think we’d be successful.”

The cup will be carried on a vintage horse-drawn carriage, which will lead horses, riders and vintage cars in a street parade through the town centre from 10.30am.

Activities throughout the day include a high tea and formal dinner, followed by a Race Night at the Town Hall.

“Come along for your chance to feel like you’re in the winner’s circle at Flemington,” Mrs Titchmarsh said.

“There will be numerous opportunities for people to be photographed holding the Lexus Melbourne Cup throughout the day.” Boyup Brook shire president Graham Aird said it was a “good thing” to have the cup visit this year, with 100-year celebrations happening for the Dinninup Show.

“There’s a connection between the Melbourne Cup and the show,” he said.

“It’s great we’re one of the two places in the State to be getting a visit.

“I’ve been lucky enough to see the cup before, it’s a fairly special thing.”

Tickets for the Flemington High Tea and Flemington Fling Gala Evening can be made at the Boyup Brook Community Resource Centre, dinninupsecretary@gmail.com, or calling 9767 1359 or 0427 854 770.