Some of the most important casting decisions for The Cup have already been made and the papers signed. Director Simon Wincer has personally overseen the acquisition of more than two dozen Thoroughbreds, each of whom is now being schooled in the intricacies of the moviemaking art.
From The Man From Snowy River to The Lighthorsemen and The Young Black Stallion, Wincer’s ability as a filmmaker to capture the passion and allure of horses is unmatched in Hollywood, but he does admit there are one or two obstacles to recreating the dramatic running of the 2002 Melbourne Cup.
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPH BY ERIC O’KEEFE THE THOROUGHBRED / WINTER 2009
CURRAGH CRONIES: Jimmy Feane (left) and Stan Cosgrove (centre) of Moyglare Stud join Cup-winning trainer Dermot Weld atop the gallops at Ireland’s most famous racecourse.
Have you ever walked into a paddock with a lead rope in your hand only to find out that you were about to be given a lesson in catching the wind? With twists and feints and an occasional burst of speed, a playful horse can turn a 10-second drill into a bullfight, and the only thing that gets gored is your pride.
My livelihood is based on a simple concept: I ask questions, listen to answers, and then piece together my thoughts in a compelling manner. Which is why I am absolutely intrigued by the one question that I am continually asked about writing The Cup.
Let’s hope this video clip, which ran at the launch of The Cup at Flemington, answers this question once and for all.
Richard Stubbs gets Damien Oliver to open up about a wide range of topics in this excellent half hour interview. Many go right to the heart of The Cup – hurrying home to Perth from Melbourne after learning of his brother’s fall, deciding whether or not to return and ride in the Cup, and the unexpected bit of encouragement he received from his late brother that got him back in the saddle for the Cup Carnival.
ABC 774 Damien Oliver Discusses The Cup (28:19)
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Some of the most important casting decisions for The Cup have already been made and the papers signed. Director Simon Wincer has personally overseen the acquisition of more than two dozen Thoroughbreds, each of whom is now being schooled in the intricacies of the moviemaking art.
