For Grimus, who has spent years skiing at Mount Buller, seeing the Cup arrive on the mountain was something entirely different.
“It’s quite like nothing else really. It’s brilliant — an unreal experience.” — Anton Grimus, Former Olympian
But the magic wasn't only found at the summit.
Down in the village, the Cup became the centre of attention as children, parents, visitors and generations of racing fans gathered for the chance to see an Australian sporting icon up close — and capture a memory of their own.
Mount Buller’s alpine environment makes up just a tiny fraction of mainland Australia: a restricted, beautiful and fragile landscape. Bringing the Cup here created a meeting of two distinctly Australian treasures — the majesty of the mountains and the enduring spirit of the Melbourne Cup.
And for a moment, the village stopped.
Faces lit up. Cameras came out. Families gathered. The surprise in people’s eyes said everything.
Because the Melbourne Cup is more than a trophy. It is a symbol recognised across the country — one that carries generations of memories, stories and dreams.
“I don’t think I’ll ever tire of the surprise in people’s eyes. We’re here to create joy — and we’re creating joy when we put the People’s Cup in front of them,” said Rogers
From Mansfield to Mount Buller and onward to the racetrack, the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour continues its journey through the communities that make this country’s racing story so special.
This time, the Cup didn’t just stop a nation.
It stopped a mountain.
