Echuca racing a hit on Melbourne Cup Day

By Josh Huntly

Nov 7, 2023

Loving it: Crowds at Echuca races. Photo: Aidan Briggs Photo by Aidan Briggs

The Moama Bowling Club Melbourne Cup Day races at Echuca Racing Club on Tuesday saw big crowds and bright sunshine in a glorious return to the racetrack.

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Thousands rolled into Echuca to watch the seven-race card, with the Melbourne Cup at 3pm drawing racegoers’ attention to see Without A Fight become just the 12th horse to win both the Melbourne and Caulfield Cups in the same season.

For ERC president Craig Sutton, it was simply a thrill to have a full-blooded day of racing back in town on the same day as the race that stops a nation.

“It’s good to just have everyone back and having a smile on their face after not having,” Sutton said.

“People love the Melbourne Cup. It’s a great Australian day. It’s just good to have it again. Everyone’s happy.

“You get here on the day as a patron, member, or participant but there’s so much work that goes in the background. It takes two or three months of planning to put on a day like today and make it a success.”

Enclosures were packed, and the grounds were full of attendees soaking up the races and the sunshine, disrupted by brief thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Sutton estimated anywhere between 2200-2500 had rolled in, and he was one of those holding their breath after the running of race three at Echuca and the break between that race and the big one at Flemington.

“Nothing beats the build-up of the Melbourne Cup, having the break and the silence ahead of the race start,” he said.

“That’s cool, no matter where you are. It’s good to have it here.”

Fashion on the Field

Best foot forward: Participants in the Lady of the Day competition. Photo by Aidan Briggs

There’s only one thing more exciting than the on-track action, and that’s the Fashion on the Field as participants showed off their best frocks.

Drawing the judges votes in the Arbory Lady of the Day was Chesney Vale’s Ally Ellis, while Moama’s Leonie Canham was a deserved runner-up, with a late addition, her best friend’s grandmother’s clutch purse, putting the finishing touches on her outfit.

Moama’s Eji Ekeanyanwu was dashing in an Italian suit produced by a friend back in Melbourne and in his first start in the Fashion on the Field, was judged the Joe Paul Gentleman of the Day.

Minimay’s Eliza Fraser was judged the Honey Classic Lady of the Day, while Lockington’s Ashka Foley earned accolades for most fashionable young person.