The iconic City of Port Augusta Cup was held on Sunday 9 July, set against the stunning backdrop of the Flinders Ranges. A crowd of around 1600 was in attendance, and in high spirits, ready for a day of exciting racing, fabulous fashion, fantastic live music and a special guest visiting. The special guest in question was the 2023 Lexus Melbourne Cup which was visiting Port Augusta as part of the 2023 Melbourne Cup Tour.
Port Augusta is unique as it is the only dirt track in South Australia which hosts TAB races, meaning that the wonderful day’s racing was being broadcast around Australia. Fashion was front at centre all day, with those in attendance showing off how stylish ‘Outback Fashion’ can be. This was evident with the number of entries into each Fashion at the Races Category. There was some serious competition in every category as all entrants brought their A-game!
On the track it was a day of fantastic and competitive racing with a bumper 8-race card. The standout jockey of the day was Hong Kong Jockey Club apprentice Nichola Yuen who rode her first quadruple. Nichola won four of the first five races of the day and was elated with achieving this many wins. Race 7 was the much anticipated City of Port Augusta Cup, and it did not disappoint. Raced over 2300 metres it was a true test for the stayers. In the end Garret Lynch trained Shiny Rock, ridden by young Victorian jockey, Campbell Rawiller, proved to be too strong and won comfortably.
A unique opportunity for those in attendance was to see the 2023 Lexus Melbourne Cup as it visited Port Augusta as part of the 2023 Melbourne Cup Tour. Racing legend, John Letts, was there as the official Melbourne Cup Ambassador. Punters had the opportunity to get their photo taken with the Melbourne Cup and the winners of the Fashion at the Races we thrilled to be able to pose with the Melbourne Cup! It was fantastic to see the ‘People’s Cup’ on display at Port Augusta and for a number of regional South Australian locations to be part of the 2023 tour.
With another iconic Outback Cup completed, it’s time to focus on the last two which will be held in August in Roxby Downs & Quorn.
Check out some of the snaps from the day below…
