Cascadian wins TAB Australian Cup in a spectacular finish

Cascadian and jockey Ben Melham combined once again to win the TAB Australian Cup and in doing so, broke a 25-year-old class record when defeating superstar mares Pride of Jenni and Atishu in a time of 2.00.05.

Trained by James Cummings, Cascadian continued an incredible run of success in the TAB Australian Cup for the Cummings family who now have fifteen wins in the race between the legendary Bart Cummings (13) and grandsons Edward (1) and James (2).

The road to the Lexus Melbourne Cup has officially kicked off with Mark Twain securing the first golden ticket into the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup after winning the $500,000 Listed Lexus Roy Higgins (2600m). The horse’s namesake and famed American writer, Mark Twain attended the 1895 Melbourne Cup.

The Ciaron Maher trained Estriella won the $500,000 Listed Sunlight Classic (1100m).

More than $42,000 was raised by racegoers for during the Flemington Racing Spectacular for the Good Friday Appeal (GFA). 

Former ODI and T20I Australian Cricket Captain Aaron Finch was on-course with his wife Amy to witness all the action trackside as a special guest of the VRC.

The Flemington Fareground, continued to be a great place for a day of free family fun for all ages to enjoy with the day including a special Easter flavour with a families enjoying chocolate egg hunts, petting zoo, Easter themed arts and crafts and a special visit from the Easter Bunny.

Victoria Racing Club (VRC) Chief Executive Officer Steve Rosich said TAB Australian Cup Day was a fitting way to finish the Flemington Racing Spectacular.

“It was really pleasing to see more than 9,700 people at Flemington as part of their Easter weekend celebrations to enjoy the free family activities and what a fitting way to finish the Flemington Racing Spectacular,” Mr Rosich said.

“The 162^nd TAB Australian Cup was one for the ages and now sits on a strong standalone program alongside the Sunlight Classic and Lexus Roy Higgins, the first milestone on the road to the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup.

“More than 36,500 have attended Flemington Racecourse over the four Group 1 race days which included the warm weather impacts to Super Saturday, with more than $42,000 raised for our Flemington Racing Spectacular charity partner, the Good Friday Appeal, and I would like to thank racegoers for their generosity.”

The next race meeting at Flemington will be ANZAC Day Race Day on Thursday 25 April. For more information or to purchase tickets visit vrc.com.au.