THE Melbourne Cup may be known as the race that stops the nation, but in the tiny Western Vic town of Apsley there is another racing event which pre-dates it.
In its early days the fine wool growing area stopped in its tracks for three days of country racing and three nights of glamorous balls.
This year the Apsley Racing Club is celebrating its 160th anniversary on the Queen's Birthday long weekend.
People from far and wide are expected to travel to the 2015 DiGiorgio Family Wines Apsley Cup at the Edenhope, Vic, racecourse.
An exciting weekend of events have been planned, from the Cup Eve Black Tie Ball in the Apsley Hall on Saturday, June 6, to the eight-race program with full TAB status on Sunday, June 7, and after-race party at the Border Inn Hotel.
Organisers expect the tiny town of 200 to swell to more than 1500 with many school and sporting reunions planned for the weekend.
An impressive $30,000 in prizemoney is on offer for the main 1850-metre race.
The Apsley Races have been a major social event for the town, less than 10 kilometres from the SA-Vic border, and area since 1855 when all surrounding sheep stations were members of the ARC.
The first course was in the centre of town with enterprising Border Inn publican Joseph Botterill ensuring the finish post was not far from the door of the pub.
Famous poet and jockey Adam Lindsay Gordon regularly rode in the races.
The 1871 races were shrouded in controversy when winning jockey John Brewer was pulled off his horse and attacked by Naracoorte racegoers who had placed their money on the beaten favourite.
By 1896 the course had shifted to the east of the Apsley Golf Club.
It then shifted to west of the town on the Naracoorte Road where it continued to be held, except for a break during World War I and a nine-year hiatus during WWII.
For the past 40 years it has been held at the picturesque gum-studded Edenhope course.
The historical significance of the ARC is not lost on the club's president Sue Close, whose family came to the area in the same year that racing started.
"Many of the early pastoralists were Catholic and enjoyed a drink and having a bet on the horses. It is 10 years older than the Melbourne Cup and during the Victorian gold rush the prize money was almost equal to the Melbourne Cup," she said.
She says the entire Apsley community gets behind the event, from the Apsley Primary School students who design the cover of the racebook to the enthusiastic young ball committee, and hard working racing committee.
For its 150th celebrations in 2005 the Apsley Cup received the award for the Vic Country Racing Best Event and Mrs Close says they hope to top that for the 160th.
"We have moved it from March to the June long weekend to give people more time to travel," she said.
At the races there will be live music by local Portland band Maton Season, and the Melbourne Cup will make an appearance.
Popular Adelaide band Jimmy and the Mirrors will perform at the eve ball.
The West Wimmera Shire Children's Marquee will include face painting, toys and crafts and performer the Great Gizmo, and kids will be able to bounce around on the Edenhope & District Community Bank jumping castle.
Despite the club's rich history Mrs Close attributes its enduring success to good succession planning.
"Most race club committees are made up of nine or 10 men in their 60s and 70s but our committee has plenty of young ones. To look at it, it is young and female dominated," she said.
"We are very lucky to have such a dedicated committee here (at Edenhope) looking after the facility and we have had wonderful support from trainers on either side of the border."
Elise Kealy - the winner of Fashions on the Field for the past two years and a local woolgrower - says the Apsley Cup is a "great social day out".
"Everyone really makes an effort to come back for it so it is a chance to get dressed up and catch up with everyone," she said.
Ms Kealy is looking forward to frocking up in the 'black and white' and woollen theme.
Australian Wool Innovation will provide woollen garments for a fashion parade.
Details: For marquee options or more details contact Sara McDonnell at mcdonnell@countryracing.com.au,
0407 717 740, or www.countryracing.com.au/apsley.
Catherine Miller
Stock Journal's livestock editor and South East correspondent.
Stock Journal's livestock editor and South East correspondent.
