Jamestown08 Aug 2010
Jockeys dressed in commemorative Cummings silks at Jamestown Racing Club with John Marshall and the 2010 Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour
With news that the bad weather was approaching, the Cup got back on board the charter plane early in the morning and set off for Jamestown, a quaint town in Clare Valley, South Australia, today, Saturday, 8 August.
The visit offered the Tour entourage the perfect opportunity to pay tribute to the town’s link to the Cummings family, a name synonymous with the Melbourne Cup, and celebrate 100 years since Jim Cummings won his first registered Australian race meeting at Jamestown.
Greeted at the airport by a very enthusiastic organising committee, the Tour crew was chauffeured in the community bus to the Bellalie Creek Restaurant, where the team warmed up by the cosy fire and enjoyed a delicious breakfast.
Refuelled and ready to go, the crew made its way to visit Jamestown hospital, where the sight of the golden trophy lit up the faces of the permanent residents and hospital patients.
The crew then made its way to Jamestown racecourse, where crowds gathered to see the Emirates Melbourne Cup trophy and speak with Tour Ambassador, John Marshall, and historian, Dr Andrew Lemon.
Event organiser and avid race fan, Keith Hope, had organised a special Cummings tribute race, where four jockeys dressed in commemorative Cummings silks and raced a dead heat around the track, a first for the history books! The historical exhibition ride was a wonderful tribute to the Cummings family. Guests then continued to enjoy the day, feasting on a sausage sizzle while children played egg and spoon and sack races.
The senior citizens of Jamestown were then able to enjoy the sight of the iconic Cup when it visited the Jamestown home for the aged.
Following a quick check-in at the hotel, the Tour crew was warmly welcomed by the Jamestown Racing Club at an intimate cocktail event where sponsors and VIPs were offered an opportunity to see the coveted trophy up close and personal.
Guests then moved onto the Commercial Hotel, where the Jamestown Racing Club hosted an Entertaining Melbourne Cup quiz night. Everybody was tested with sport, general knowledge and Melbourne Cup focused questions and rewarded with spot prizes and auction items. The challenging questions even tested the Tour crew, despite their insider knowledge to the Melbourne Cup!
Following an action-packed day, the Tour crew farewelled the Jamestown Racing Club contingent, a group that had put their heart and sole in to welcoming the Cup to town.
9:00am 9:45am: Breakfast at Belalalie Creek
10:00am – 11:00am: Visit Jamestown Hospital
12:00pm – 2:00pm: Picnic BBQ lunch
2:30pm – 3:30pm Visit Jamestown Homes for Aged
4:00pm – 6:00pm: Reception for Jamestown Racing Club sponsors
7:00pm – 11:00pm: Quiz night at Jamestown Town Hall
*Please note that the above details may change closer to or on the day of the event
