Birdsville04 Sep 2010
Des Gleeson and Amanda Elliott with Brian and Barbie Mooney, the fantastic event organsiers for the Tour's visit to Birdsville
After a long stormy night, the Cup had to modify its schedule and instead of trekking through the mud and rain to horse stalls and the river, the Cup made an appearance at the centralised Tourist Information Centre to ensure that visitors could see the iconic trophy.
Due to unfit racing conditions, the Birdsville Cup was unfortunately called off – the first cancellation in its 128-year history.
Despite the disappointing news, crowds made the most of the experience and headed to the track for a Phantom Race Day.
Fun sites to see included an array of impressive entries at the fashions on the field, mud wrestling, people washing in puddles and knee board riding on the track, which had turned into a lake.
The Tour crew was spoilt by the Birdsville Racing Club with five-star dining in the corporate tent, where Amanda Elliott and Des Gleeson entertained the audience with Melbourne Cup memories. The Tour crew then took the Cup to guests outside the marquee for their chance to see the glistening Birdsville and Melbourne Cup trophies partnered together for photo opportunities.
With some sunshine and wind on the way, the Birdsville Racing Club was optimistic that the race meeting would be run in the next few days. The Tour crew hoped that their wishes were commanded so that people that travelled from far and wide would have an opportunity to race their horses to claim the iconic Birdsville Cup.
With roads impassable, more than 3,000 people stranded in town and planes bogged at the airport, the Cup’s departure was questionable. Luckily the Tour crew’s pilot worked hard to pull out the plane and after two days full of adventure in Birdsville, the Cup was bound for Richmond in north-west Queensland.
9:00am – 9:30am: Visit horse stalls
9:30am – 10:30am: Visit campers at River
10:30am – 11:30am: Visit Visitors information centre
12:00pm: Visit Birdsville race track
1:30pm: Melbourne Cup’s welcome at the Birdsville races
*Please note that the above details may change closer to or on the day of the event
