Top End’s punters pitch in to realise a dream for Dolly Town comes alive as racegoers join charity to celebrate progress in style
JASON WALLS
jason.walls@news.com.au PUNTERS turned out in their thousands to try to pick a winner or just soak up the sun at the Katherine Cup yesterday.
The races are always a highlight of the Top End town’s social calendar but this year’s event was even more special, doubling as a fundraiser for the Dolly’s Dream Foundation.
Jockey Chris Symons was among those pitching in, having brought racing’s biggest prize, the Melbourne Cup, along to help raise money for the charity started in honour of the Territory teen who tragically took her own life in January.
“It’s something a bit different for me; I’ve never been to the NT before and I’m really pumped about it,” he said.
“It’s great to see a community get together and great that we could bring the Melbourne Cup here for everyone to enjoy and get their photo with.”
And just like the Melbourne Cup, there was plenty of fashion trackside.
Mr Symons said he was impressed with the turnout in the little Outback town.
“I think they’re going to get over 3000 people which is incredible,” he said.
Annabel Curtain took out the Under 30s Best Dressed (pictured right) while Mia Tagell was runner-up.
Meanwhile, local girl Shannon Guadion took the opportunity to experience her very first race day and said she had no regrets.
“It’s a beautiful day, nice and sunny so nothing to complain about,” she said.
“It’s really fun, it’s nice to just walk around and watch the races (and) hang out with friends. This is my first cup ever so a good first one I think.”
Berg, who made the trek from Darwin for the cup, said she came for a day out and to support Dolly’s Dream.
“It’s a lovely day at Katherine races; we’ve come down from Darwin to spend time with friends who live at Tindal,” she said.
“It was lovely to do that for Dolly and support that great cause.”
Yesterday’s Katherine Cup was tinged with blue as the day’s annual stock horse race was renamed the Dolly’s Dream Cup.
Many of those in attendance incorporated a shade of Dolly Everett’s favourite colour into their outfits in honour of the youngster who was lost too soon.
Dolly’s parents Tick and d Kate and sister Meg proudly rode out together, carrying the trophy bearing her name alongside the Katherine Cup and the visiting Melbourne Cup before the amateur race kicked off.
Tick said the running of the traditional stock horse race in Dolly’s name was an “amaz- ing” show off support.
“It was great the local sup- port to do that; it’s all in the e spirit of the day,” he said.
“The community that’s got behind it in Katherine and right across Australia’s just been incredible and we took k the opportunity with the Mel- bourne Cup (being here) as a thank you to everyone that at has supported us in one way y or another.”
Kate said the family was grateful and honoured by the awarding of the Dolly’s Dream m Cup in her memory and hoped bringing to Melbourne Cup to town would serve as an expression of their thanks.
“I hope everyone enjoys the visit, I don’t think in the history of the People’s Tour has it been to Katherine so I hope they enjoy the opportunity,” she said.
“The community that’s got behind (Dolly’s Dream) in Katherine and right across Australia’s just been incredible ….”