Mick Johnstone said their stable had some strong runners going around at Echuca today. Photo: Ross Holburt/Racing Photos
It’s cup day and rain, hail or shine, thousands are expected to flock to Echuca Racecourse for its annual Melbourne Cup Day meeting – one of the biggest days on the Echuca Racing Club calendar.
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And leading the charge will be the Johnstone racing stable, with Gwenda and Mick having four certain starters at the time of printing, with emergency Thundering Shadow almost certain to also make the starting gate.
Apart from the home track advantage, the stable has been in strong recent form on the country circuit, with Mutsuhito a strong winner at Manangatang and Here Comes Wozza will appreciate a return to 1400m.
While the stable is focused on Echuca for cup day, Gwenda and Mick are no strangers to the Melbourne Cup carnival and Flemington on the biggest day of them all.
Over the years they have contested a number of big-time races in town, with stable legend Shadoways running second in a Group One on Derby Day 20 years ago before winning a Group One in Adelaide two years later.
“I think there were 140,000 people there on that Derby Day,” Mick recalled.
Gwenda Johnstone sees Melbourne Cup Day as a challenge, whether you are in Echuca or at Flemington - and she has done both. Photo: Ross Holburt/Racing Photos
“And then there was Melbourne Cup Day in 2015, and our Precious Gem ran a second the following day,” he said.
“On Oaks Day, we won the greys’ race three times with Shadowmaker, Shadowpark and Theresnothinglycra.”
Mick said having a horse such as a Shadoways come November was always a thrill.
“To have a horse like him was very exciting every time you went to the races,” Mick said.
“He’d get back and fly home at the end.”
But he said the stable was just as excited to have a team running at their home track on the day.
Mick said the local track was looking picture-perfect and they worked on it a few days ago.
“It’s as good as you could hope, and feels just as good when you’re galloping on it, so hopefully after yesterday’s rain we don’t get any more,” he added.
Mutsuhito will lead the stable’s charge in the opening race on the card – the $22,000 Two Tarts Catering Handicap over the classic mile.
Their four-year-old gelding The Old Man will be looking for his first win in the $32,000 Bourke Builders Maiden Plate over 1200m, and Wayne’s Dream will also be looking to break her maiden in a 15-start career in the $32,000 dash for cash over 1000m in the Echuca Toyota Maiden Plate.
Thundering Shadow, which has had just the one start, is second emergency in the sprint.
Here Comes Wozza is back to 1400m in the $22,000 Moama Bowling Club Handicap and must be considered a strong chance.
ERC manager Jarratt Farley said ticket sales for the meeting were up on 2025, “which is always a real positive”.
“The weather forecast is chopping and changing, but hopefully after Monday’s rain it goes our way,” he said.
“As usual, the racing club and staff are really excited about another good day on Melbourne Cup Day.”
It’s easy to get down to the course off the Murray Valley Hwy, with courtesy buses running all day between 10.30am and 6.30pm from the Star and Caledonian Hotels in Echuca, and the Border Inn and Moama Bowling Club in Moama.
There will be lots for racing fans to get excited about on-track, as well as the opportunity to watch the great race on the big screen alongside fellow punters.
Away from the track, Farley said there would be a swathe of other entertainment for all ages.
“We've got the free kids’ activities with It's Party Time and Kelly Sports on-course, and live music from the TJ Show and Kane Vincent,” he said.
“There are lots of shady spots and shielded areas for general admission people as well.”
