November 11, 2013
The race that stops a nation also stopped a couple of well-known South Burnett citizens in their tracks last Tuesday … it’s not every day that you get to party with the real Melbourne Cup!
Former Swickers Kingaroy Bacon Factory Manager Bob Childs and well-known Kingaroy resident Joyce McKechnie flew to Melbourne to watch the famous race.
They had a special reason to be there … race favourite Fiorente was part-owned by Bob’s daughter Rhonda and son-in-law David Henderson.
Bob and Joyce not only had the opportunity to watch the big race up close, they also had the excitement of watching Fiorente surge to win in a thrilling finish from Red Cadeaux and Mount Athos.
It was a weekend of “firsts” for Bob and Joyce … it was their first Melbourne Cup race meeting, their first Melbourne Cup win (of course!) and their first experience with Japanese food.
“Dad and Joyce drove to Brisbane then flew to Melbourne on Sunday before the Cup,” Rhonda said.
“They had a quick freshen up and then it was off to Kokos Japanese Restaurant at the Crown Casino with family and friends.”
On Monday, they went sight-seeing and, according to Rhonda, managed to get themselves lost.
Fortunately they must have found their way back to their apartments because they were picked up at 9:30am on the next day by a private bus to be whisked off to Flemington .
It must have been a tiring day for the Kingaroy duo.
“Dad and Joyce did not make it to the after party with Gai (Waterhouse) that night after such a big day,” Joyce said.
On Wednesday, they enjoyed more sight-seeing before having a private dinner with family and friends (and the Melbourne Cup) at the Atlantic Restaurant in the Crown Casino.
Their magical journey came to a close on Thursday with their flight back to Brisbane and trip back to Kingaroy.
PS. Henderson Racing, a partnership between David and his brother Luke, has formed a winning relationship with Sydney trainer Gai Waterhouse. The combination has also landed a Caulfield Cup (Descarado in 2010) and a Golden Slipper (Sebring in 2008) … not bad considering the brothers, who are Gold Coast real estate agents, only purchased their first horse in 2002!
