Alkimos Primary stopped in tracks for close up look at Melbourne Cup

SPIRITS were riding high as the Melbourne Cup did laps around Alkimos Primary School today.

The school welcomed visitors from the Racing and Wagering WA (RWWA) Off the Track program and Victoria Racing Club’s 2016 Melbourne Cup Tour .

The Melbourne Cup Tour, which runs from August 8 to 13, sees the $175,000, 18-carat gold trophy travel to destinations in Perth, Bunbury and Broome.

Alkimos Primary was selected for the tour based on its passion for racing, historical links to the Melbourne Cup and dedication to the community.

Principal and part-time RWWA steward Andrew Gorton said the school community was excited to have the Melbourne Cup Tour and Off the Track visit.

“The majority of students at our school have never seen a horse in the flesh, let alone a racehorse and Melbourne Cup runner,” he said.

“The opportunity for students to learn about the life of a racehorse and the opportunities available to them post-racing is a great thing.”

Each classroom received a visit from an Off the Track representative who gave a presentation and video regarding the program, as well as memorabilia of Scenic Shot and Scenic Blast.

Each student received an Off the Track show bag, which included merchandise and a Scenic Blast book.

Former jockey and current RWWA riding master, Jeremey Hustwitt, also talked to students about his experiences of riding Beaux Art in the 1996 Melbourne Cup.

Off the Track, a program dedicated to retired West Australian thoroughbreds and standardbreds, featured former stars, Scenic Shot, who competed in the 2007 Melbourne Cup and WA Hall of Fame Inductee, Scenic Blast.

Scenic Blast won three group one races, including the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in England, and was crowned Australian Horse of the Year in 2009.

Scenic Shot bowed out of racing with a record of 74 starts for 17 wins and just over $3 million in stake earnings.