Melbourne cup visits Oaklands

The Melbourne Cup in Oaklands (supplied).

With the race that stops the nation just around the corner, Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Oaklands is welcoming the Melbourne Cup as part of its tour in October.

Residents from Sunbury and surrounds are welcomed to attend the day from 10am to 12noon on October 8, for a chance to see the cup, and enjoy special guest speakers, demonstrations and light refreshments.

RDA Oaklands volunteer Laurel Harrison said they are expecting about 50 to 80 people at the annual event.

“It’s so lovely we dress the riders up in silks and they ride on their ponies for a demonstration,” she said.

“It’s wonderful for the parents to see their kids in their extracurricular activities. We invite them once a term to come but this is a celebration of horse racing in an inclusive way.

Ms Harrison said the cup tour is important to raise the profile of RDA, and they are always looking for extra volunteers.

“We’ve got volunteers from the Macedon Ranges and south of Bulla… [and] we’re looking for more volunteers from the Melton area.

“There’s a waitlist for riders but the number of volunteers restricts the number of riders we can have, there’s a balancing act.”

Ms Harrison said volunteers don’t need to have experience, and they should email for extra information.

Details: rdaoaklands@gmail.com

Zoe Moffatt