Peter is well credentialed to be speaking to a Rotary Club on Melbourne Cup day. He’s a former RYE (South Africa), son of Rotarian George Symons PHF (owner of a Cup runner in 1986), and a member of the veterinary panel at WA Racing and Wagering.George’s horse finished the race and retired to stud, not that there was much of a call for his services as he came second last! It cost George $10,000 to start the horse, nowadays it costs $50,000.
The Melbourne Cup is a handicap race, and one of the few races where every horse is set to win. Because of that, no-one knows who is going to win. Winning takes a lot of luck on the day. Who would have though Kiwi would win the 1983 Melbourne Cup. It was used to rounding up sheep on a station in New Zealand.
Peter also waxed philosophically about the current controversy about managing horses after their “useful” life, serving the needs of humans of people who bet, is over because they don’t win races any more, if they ever did. His view as a veterinarian, and from a horse industry family, is that when they have come to the end of their life, well after they would have died in the wild, their death should be swift and painless, and without stress.
Peter’s tip for the day turned out to be as accurate as the one he gave last year. For the record, he thinks you should consider the jockey, and this year he fancies whatever horse Damian Lane from WA, is riding.
According the 7News this morning: History awaits star Bunbury raised jockey Damian Lane when he returns to riding on Melbourne Cup day after a suspension. With wins in the Golden Slipper, Caulfield Cup and Saturday's Cox Plate already in his keeping during 2019, Lane can create ‘grand slam’ history at Flemington on November 5 when he rides Japanese Caulfield Cup winner Mer De Glace in the $8 million Melbourne Cup.
Well he didn’t win. Please come back next year Peter and see if you get it right!
