There is the race that stops the nation and then there was the cup that stopped the High Country when the holy grail of the horse racing world toured Mansfield Shire last week. From the downhill run on Mt Buller to trackside at the Mansfield Racecourse on Saturday, the keenly guarded Lexus Melbourne Cup and former top jockey Damien Oliver drew crowds, young and old, for photo opportunities. The previous day, the cup and three-time Melbourne Cup-winning jockey visited Bindaree and Buckland aged care facilities, much to the delight of residents who got to pose with the trophy. There was also a side trip into the front bar at the Merrijig Hunt Club Hotel with cattleman Charlie Lovick and Paul Skvor from Buckle Up Bushrides, along with the cup and Damien Oliver. “Assisted by the weather, the community day hosted by the Mansfield District Racing Club (MDRC) and Mansfield Shire to celebrate the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour to the High Country was a huge success,” race club president Leanne Backwell said. “We are grateful to Mansfield Shire for its partnership and thank local families who took part in the cup parade, Fashions on the Field, musical entertainment and more for their support and interest in this historic event.” Fashions on the Field results: Best Dressed Junior Winner: Mahalia Quilty Runner-up: Tawny Drysdale Best Dressed Male Winner: Grant Jones Runner-up: Michael McAlpine Best Dressed Female Winner: Karlie Owen Runner-up: Nikki Howells-Schram Friends of Mansfield Fashions Showcase Winner: Dahyna Heenan Runner-up: Kat Stewart
