DARREN Weir will bring the Melbourne Cup to Swan Hill tomorrow just one week after claiming the biggest win of his career.
Last week jockey Michelle Payne and Prince of Penzance crossed the finish line clear of the pack — turning the race that stopped that nation into story that captured the heart of the nation — prompting the Berriwillock local to bring the trophy home.
Payne won’t be riding at the Swan Hill Jockey Club meet tomorrow, but brother and strapper Steven Payne will be with the cup and Weir at the free event.
The Buloke Shire Council have organised a civic reception for the duo today but Weir said getting back to his roots was what he has wanted to do since winning last week.
“It has been a massive week, it has been great,” he said.
“It is every trainer’s dream to win the Melbourne Cup and to be the leading trainer at Flemington, but it will be awesome to get the cup to Berriwilliock and then onto Swan Hill.
“I have a close connection to Swan Hill and the Coffey family so to bring it back will be an amazing feeling — I wish you could feel it.
“I just wanted to be able to share this with everyone.”
For more on this story, grab a copy of Wednesday’s Guardian (November 11).
