Giddy up to the Cup

By Lachlan Ellis

It’s almost time for the Ballan Cup once again, and the Ballan Jockey Club is eager to put on a great show in its 160^th year.

There will be plenty on offer for adults and kids alike, from a $170pp two-course luncheon and five-hour beverage package, and the Fashions on the Field contest, to free kids’ activities such as face painting, birdhouse building, and tug of war.

A whopping $2,000 cash pool, as well as local hampers and Jockey Club memberships, are on offer for Fashions on the Field winners and runners-up, across three categories: Best Dressed, Best Suited, and Best Millinery.

Ballan Jockey Club President Billy Smith said it was exciting to host the event after a difficult couple of years.

“After two years of lockdowns and one year with no people able to attend, it’s great to be running the Ballan Cup again. Last year we were lucky enough to have patrons attending, but the last two years have been incredibly frustrating. This year, things are looking a lot better,” Mr Smith told the Moorabool News.

“We’ve got a full range of activities – a jumping castle, mini golf, kids’ games, we’ve got hospitality packages that include meals and drinks.”

For just $10, attendees can book a bus to and from either Bacchus Marsh Railway Station (departing 10.30 am) or Ballan Railway Station (departing 11 am), with both buses returning from Geelong Racecourse 30 minutes after the last race, at 6 pm.

The bus service Is being run by Cartier World Travel – to book a bus, visit www.cartierworldtravel.com/ballan-cup-2022.

And like so many events, the Ballan Cup wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of sponsors.

“The Ballan & District Community Bank Branch have been a major sponsor of the Cup, without their support the Cup wouldn’t happen,” Mr Smith said.

Other sponsors of the event include Avis, Ballan Storage, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Quinlan Cranes, Grovers Rural Supplies, and Shane Cook Homes.

A portion of Cup Day profits will go towards the redevelopment of the Ballan Recreation Reserve, which Mr Smith says is “a perfect fit for the Club”.

“The Ballan Recreation Reserve project is a great community initiative which we are absolutely thrilled to support. The more people who come and support our Cup Day the bigger our donation can be, so we are encouraging Ballan to get behind this Cup,” he said.

For more information and to book your tickets to the Ballan Cup, visit country.racing.com/ballan.