11 August 2011

Continuing its journey across regional New South Wales, the Tour headed for Cabonne Shire, in the state’s central west, where John Letts transfixed audiences with recollection of his Melbourne Cup wins on Piping Lane in 1972 and Beldale Ball in 1980.

Home of the late Mr Neville Sellwood, two-time Melbourne Cup winning jockey (Delta, 1951 and Toporoa, 1955), the townships of Cudal, Molong and Manildra were all in the diary for a full day of community events.

Cabonne Mayor, Mr Bob Dowling, officially welcomed the Tour entourage in a ribbon cutting ceremony and Mr Sellwood’s daughter, Gai Fardell, recalled her father’s Melbourne Cup triumph with the crowd and showcased his trophy from the 1951 victory aboard Delta.

Excited grade five and six students of Molong Central School welcomed the Tour with open arms, wearing their best headwear and running a spirited snail race – a little slower than the horses run at Flemington, but just as exciting!

There certainly were high expectations of lunch in a Shire that calls itself ‘Australia’s food basket’, and Cabonne certainly didn’t disappoint the Tour entourage with a delicious spread at midday.  

Whilst inclement weather prevented the evening’s Balloon Glow from going ahead, the Tour entourage enjoyed a great BBQ with the local community instead.

Tomorrow, the Tour heads south to Cootamundra for another exciting and busy day. To view further images of the EMCT in the Cabonne Shire, and track the Tour’s progress, visit our Facebook page, Flemington: Home of Melbourne Cup.

Photo: EMCT Ambassador John Letts with (L-R) Warwick Doulman, Gai Fardell (daughter of the late two-time Melbourne Cup winning jockey Neville Sellwood) and Mayor of Cabonne Shire, Bob Dowling and Mr Sellwood's trophy from the 1951 Melbourne Cup.