2023 Melbourne Cup Tour of Queenscliff cocktail celebration

2023 Melbourne Cup Tour of Queenscliff cocktail celebration

We had a wonderful evening at Suma Park Estate as a grand finale to the 2023 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour of Queenscliff organised by Cottage by the Sea in collaboration with The Rippers Club.

Guests welcomed the Cup onto the front veranda of the historical Suma Park homestead to the tune of local bagpiper Callum Watson.

Pricking their ears and seemingly enjoying the tunes along with the 150 or so in attendance were Melbourne Cup Winners Twighlight Payment and Efficient from Living Legends, along with a retrained thoroughbred from nearby Rafiki Equestrian in St Leonards.

MC and Cottage Ambassador Ian Cover OAM interviewed special guest and Keeper of the Cup from the VRC Joe McGrath, who shared the rich racing history of the Suma Park property.

Guests then enjoyed the rest of the evening under the fairy lights and stunning atmosphere in the stables. More guests included Melbourne Cup winning owner Danny O’Brien and Cup winning owner Terry Henderson from OTI Racing. Both tipped us plenty of winners at the Geelong Cup, including Terry tipping us the Cup winner, Amade.

A highlight was the phantom race call by legendary race caller Greg Miles with Might and Power getting up in the last stride over Makybe Diva in his Greatest Melbourne Cup Winners call.

Thank you to all our wonderful donors to the auction and spirited bidders who helped us raise more than $15,000 for Cottage. Thank you also to everyone who came to support the event, including Cottage Ambassadors, Board members, our Patron Rebecca Maddern, staff, volunteers and valued members of our community.

The evening capped off a memorable day that went from dawn to dark as Cottage helped to bring the local community together in what was a wonderful day of community celebrations.

Photography by Michael Chambers