12 October

Further along the Avoca River from Charlton lies Quambatook, a tiny town who turned out to welcome the Tour today on its way to Kerang, a further 40 kilometres north.

At the Quambatook Historical Centre, the Tour party including three-time Melbourne Cup winning jockey, Jim Johnson and celebrates race caller, John Russell oversaw fiercely competitive yabby races, judged a fashion parade and viewed a fantastic racing and local memorabilia display.

The Gunnawarra Shire and Kerang Turf Club pulled at all stops to ensure the Tour’s arrival was well received and the community welcomed the visit with excitement and enthusiasm throughout the day.

Fuelled by a delicious morning tea, the Tour party were bound for Kerang, ready to enjoy the mallee sunshine and visit the Kerang Primary School, who was hosting fellow local schools and aged care residents from the area in a great afternoon of activity.

A street parade through the Kerang CBD saw Tour Ambassadors chaperoned in a horse and cart, proudly carrying the iconic 2011 Emirates Melbourne Cup trophy as pony clubs, school groups and community organisations followed on foot.

A BBQ lunch, photo opportunities and entertainment followed, with visiting stockmen and their horses joining in, the horses weaving their legs in time with the ladies boot scootin’.

A walk along Kerang’s main street saw local shops Visual Appeal (furniture) and Laughlins SportsPower win the quinella for Best Dressed Kerang Business Window, with the winners announced at the evening function at the Kerang Golf Club.

A novelty Kerang Cup sweep and phantom race call and Melbourne Cup stories from John, Jim and local jockey Alan Tartaglia, who rode in several Melbourne Cups against Jim Johnson, made for a great evening with the community of Kerang.

The Tour party all agreed that the five local schools of Quambatook, Kerang, Kerang South and Koondrook Primary Schools and Kerang Technical School were worthy recipients of a donation from the Melbourne Cup Community Fund, allowing each school to purchase further educational materials for their students use.

The Tour party and the VRC look forward to seeing the schools use of their share of the funding and thanks the community of Kerang for their passion and embrace of the Tour today.