Victoria Racing Club (VRC) Chairman Neil Wilson said the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour’s visit to New York was a great opportunity for American racing fans to share in the excitement of Australia’s great race.
“The Lexus Melbourne Cup was a star attraction at Saratoga and we were delighted to have been able to share the iconic trophy and raise awareness about our great race in America,” Mr Wilson said.
“The Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour received a warm welcome from American racing fans, and we’re pleased that Australian race caller Matt Hill was trackside to call the Belmont Gold Cup, which saw The Grey Wizard win a golden ticket into this year’s race that stops a nation.”
New York Racing Association (NYRA) Vice-President of Racing and Operations Andrew Offerman said the partnership with the VRC was well received and was another drawcard to the festival.
“NYRA looks forward to building the relationship with the Victoria Racing Club in the years ahead,” Mr Offerman said.
“This collaboration was an exciting first step, and we thank the VRC for their efforts at highlighting both of these world-class events.”
The voice of the Lexus Melbourne Cup Matt Hill was at Saratoga to call the Belmont Gold Cup for the American Fox Sports audience.
“It was a bit nerve wracking because it is all very foreign being in a strange broadcast box and a country that I have only been in for one day. And a photo finish, you couldn’t script it,” Mr Hill said.
“The trophy itself means so much to most Australians, it belongs everywhere from the rich company sitting in an office to a little school in an outpost near the Northern Territory, it means something to everybody and to bring it to the most iconic American racecourse, it just fits.
“I am very proud to be an Australian and be a Melburnian and bring our greatest sporting trophy to the states and show it off because it’s worth showing off.”
While at Saratoga, the Lexus Melbourne Cup caught up with 2024 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks winning trainer Kenny McPeek who will be attending this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival.
“A big influence on me, believe it or not, was Lee Freedman. When I went to Australia years ago, I met Lee at a horse sale at Magic Millions, he and I got to talking about horse properties and he gave me a little advice and I took it,” Mr McPeek said.
“I think what they do with Australian racing, we really need to do here as well. In many ways Australia may lead the world in the promotion and connecting fans to the sport.
“I have spent mornings with Bart Cummings and Gai Waterhouse so I would love to get a horse over there at some point.”