By LIAM TWOMEY
IT IS hard to walk through the Werribee Racing Club’s quarantine centre and not get star struck.
For the past few months, racing royalty has called Werribee home as some of the sport’s most high profile trainers, owners and jockeys launch their assaults on the Spring Carnival.
Melbourne and Caulfield Cup winner Dunaden is just one of the big names back at Werribee in 2013 and has been joined by other stars of the track including Red Cadeaux, Dandino and Mount Athos.
Werribee Racing Club general manager Ross Kendell said it was an exciting time of year.
“This facility has only been operating for three years.
“Over those three years we have had two Melbourne Cup winners and a Caulfield Cup winner,” he said.
“All the connections, they all stay locally which is fantastic for the local community.
“They are here every day and they are investing and spending in the local community.
“From our point of view that is great to see.
“The other thing about having these horses here is the people who are out here every day.
“The likes of Gai Waterhouse and Luca Cumani are on the grounds just walking around.”
Depending on the result of this year’s Melbourne Cup, Kendell is hoping racegoers attending the TAB Werribee Cup will be in for a special treat.
With half of this year’s Melbourne Cup field based at Werribee, a winner in the race that stops the nation could see a special guest on the day.
“At some point in the future, statistics will tell you we are probably going to get another winner of the Melbourne Cup that is based here,” Kendell said.
“What we will be doing is, the second that horse goes over the line at Flemington, I’ll be going to the owner and saying, now you are coming down the straight on TAB Werribee Cup Day.
“We have such a good relationship with all these guys… they would be more than happy to do it.”
