HORSE racing fever has hit the main street of Wycheproof, with an art exhibition celebrating Derby Day in the Country.
The annual Elders Mt. Wycheproof Cup Day – Derby Day on Saturday October 30 may not be open to crowds this year, but the town is still celebrating the races ahead of the Melbourne Cup.
Normally, thousands of people would flock to the track generating much-needed dollars to boost the town’s economy, and the races would be opened with an art exhibition on the Thursday prior to race day.
The exhibition’s theme is Steampunk on Broadway, with the art being displayed in shop windows along Broadway Street.
Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction that features an aesthetic inspired by 19th century steam-powered machinery.
“We decided this time that we needed to do something perhaps a bit different because we guessed that the races wouldn’t run this year, ” Bakery on Broadway co-owner and Wycheproof Traders Group member Ann Durie said.
“We chose that theme because the train, which is linked to the steampunk genre, ties in with Wycheproof and would interest the children entering the competition.”
Ms Durie is working on a display as part of the exhibition, which incorporates a steampunk-themed horse and cart/train, which children can add to.
For the race itself, Mt. Wycheproof and District Racing Club president Kevin Thompson said the committee was expecting a “really good day”.
“Without racing fans and the crowds, this year is simply a racing-focused event, and the club look set to be well supported in terms of anticipated nominations,” he said.
The Club is encouraging the community and fans to watch Derby Day in the Country from home or a local pub and club.
The cup day will broadcast via the Sky 2 racing vision platform.
The committee hope to see everyone trackside in 2022
PREVALENT Swan Hill trainer Austy Coffey, who has strong family ties to the Wycheproof community, is sure to have some horses on the track at Mt. Wycheproof.
Mr Coffey, along with his son and prominent jockey Harry Coffey and apprentice Shanae O’Meara recently visited Bakery on Broadway to celebrate Harry’s birthday.
