Publication:The Fearless Times Issue 3 2009/The Purple Pony Cup
The Melbourne Cup may be the horse race that stops a nation, but in the middle of the North Arabian Sea in support of the giant nuclear powered aircraft carrier, USS Nimitz and Carrier Strike Group 11 conducting bombing missions in Afghanistan, Toowoomba stayed on task. But all work and no play makes 'jack' a dull boy! So to celebrate Melbourne Cup Day and to make a little bit of money for the Ship's Welfare Fund, Toowoomba held our own Purple Pony Cup. With a nine race card and fashionably clad race goers, it was a colourful affair, and so was the language from some of the jockeys! This wasn't an occasion for all of Ship's Company though, with many remaining on watch as Toowoomba provided air defence to Nimitz as part of the US-led Combined Task Force 50, fighting the war in Afghanistan.
The event was the brain child of LS Adam Baskett and he was supported by and small but able team of willing volunteers. Well done Basko and team! In the preceding week before the event there had been an auction of 'horses' with the top offer of $200 being paid for the stayer 'Jack Tar' which contributed to a substantial prize purse for the day. Among the impressive field of starters were 'Half A Bar', 'Pepsi', 'Ratmouse', 'Scabies', 'Leprosy', 'My Wife is a Sasquatch' and 'The Pope's a Catholic' and just a few too rude to mention in a family newsletter.
Those available to attend gathered on the flight deck in the Middle East heat, the first race kicking off at 1330. Six horses with jockeys wearing assorted 'interesting' costumes took to the starting gate for each race, moving forward on the throw of the dice. The course was more like a steeple chase having a jump, a water obstacle and chance positions where a horse might get advanced a few positions or penalties such as being moved back to the start or being pelted with water bombs were imposed with plenty of enthusiasm.
The major event of the day, the Purple Pony Cup was fought out by the winners of the first six races. She's a Top Bloke took an early lead but was quickly passed by Mr Jeremy who was never headed and crossed the line, wining for owner CPO Andrew Beasley a prize of $571. Not a bad birthday present hey Andy? The jockey, AB Katherine Creighton received an undisclosed cut of the purse. Overall it was a great afternoon and a fun interlude in an otherwise very busy program. However the big winner of the day was LS Kade Edwards, whose name was drawn from the bucket to win an all expenses paid visit to the 2010 Melbourne Cup with his wife and two other mates, courtesy of the Victorian Racing Club.
