Residents celebrate Cup day fun

GEE-UP: Lyndale Rest Home residents Kath Sturgess (left) and Marion Bolton dress up for the Melbourne Cup.

Age is no barrier to a bit of race day fun, as the residents of Lyndale Rest Home proved yesterday, celebrating the 154th running of the Melbourne Cup.

After some games and drawing the sweepstakes, the residents enjoyed their own happy hour at the Masterton rest home before watching the race at 5pm.

One resident, Judy Blundell, drew Who Shot the Barman, the same horse Prime Minister John Key, placed a $25 bet on yesterday afternoon.

She said she was picking the horse to win, which is partly-owned by the brother of Finance Minister Bill English's executive assistant.

Mr Key placed $25 each way on Mutual Regard and $20 to win on the favourite, Admire Rakti.

Recreational officer Jo Hayes said they celebrated the cup every year and the day before, they made hats and fascinators as well as having their hair and nails done. "You can have fun at rest homes, they're not just sitting at the departure lounge waiting for the plane to leave."