The Day That Julie Won The Cup

In ‘85 at Flemington, the Melbourne Cup was won

By What A Nuisance bursting late to pip them - what a run!

A nose to win, a close run thing from Koiro Corrie May.

The navy silks saluting from atop the Kiwi bay.

Of course the horse’s trainer Meagher he praised the jockey most.

Patty Hyland, rode him great to get him past the post.

But nowhere in the history books does anybody state.

That Julie Williams won that Cup - she blitzed it down the straight.

The story starts 500 miles from Melbourne’s famous track.

At Nyngan - central New South Wales - out in the state’s outback.

Where Julie and her husband, John had planned to travel down.

To watch Australia’s favourite race, enjoy old Melbourne town.

They had a slight connection see, Pat Hyland had a ride.

He was Julie’s aunty’s cousin - (on her husband Jimmy’s side).

And Aunty Enid joined them as they had a ticket spare.

While Jimmy couldn’t make it with a health related scare.

For those who can recall the hyped up cup of ‘85

Prince Charles and Di at Flemington the town had come alive.

Fosters cash had raised the purse - a million dollar first.

The punters flocked from everywhere with hotels fit to burst.

Now if you know John Williams you’ll appreciate this joke.

When it comes to fixing problems then he always ‘knows a bloke’.

A call en route on Monday from a payphone on the way.

Had two rooms on the outer skirts of Melbourne for their stay.

Enid joined in Albury and they checked in Monday eve.

The girls upstairs to freshen up, while Johnny took his leave.

Of course he couldn’t help himself and at the bar let slip.

His relation was the jockey and he had a family tip.

If What A Nuisance pulled up well and Hyland made his weight.

By Jove the pair’d be hard to beat despite the wider gate.

Well that set tongues a wagging and when Enid joined for tea.

She confirmed the horse was running and she’d back the family.

The trio headed off to bed and rose before first light

Oblivious to the betting spree they’d caused the previous night.

They made their way to Flemington the odds had been wound in.

From 25s to 20s on the tote for it to win.

The crowd of course was bursting as they headed for the track.

Where the trio watched the day of racing standing 4 rows back.

The girls had fluttered expertly to build a modest pile.

And each laid $50 on their horse to win the great two mile.

The race begins, the crowd erupts the horses in full swing

But standing four rows deep poor Julie cannot see a thing.

They pass her for the first time as she listens to the throng

But with growing indignation she decides to right the wrong.

Now Julie was a Crockett, and the Crocketts had this knack.

Of warning of their temper when their eyes would deepen black.

So when Julie turned to John and said “I bloody well can’t see.”

He saw the pupils dilate when he answered “nor can we.”

And at that moment as the field had turned to face the straight

John calmed his storming missus and he changed the race’s fate.

He squatted down and with no time to waste on clean and jerk.

He snatched her on his shoulders and then Julie went berserk.

Now with the best seat in the house she watched the race unfold.

What A Nuisance battling 5th or 6th all truth be told.

But darned if she was going to let another take the win.

She grabbed John’s ears and took position knees under the chin.

And down that last 250 well she galloped with the best.

And rode the horse to victory, her heels in Johnny’s chest.

They collected from the bookies and returned to old mate’s pub.

But despite their tidy profit they paid nought for beer and grub.

Yes the three were made as royalty, the patrons all made hay

Enid’s only gripe the odds firmed 15 on the day.

And the Williams family to this day will boast where e’er they roam.

That What A Nuisance won the cup ‘cause Julie rode him home.