Wairarapa visit for Melbourne Cup

Sir Patrick Hogan poses at Cambridge Stud with the 2013 Melbourne Cup and Stallion Zabeel, a champion stud that has so far sired three winners of the trophy.

As this year's Melbourne Cup makes its way to Wairarapa there has been a late change of riders in the official party.

Former top Victorian jockey Michael Clark will replace retired rider John Marshall in the touring party.

Clarke rode At Talaq to win the 1986 Melbourne Cup and rode Better Loosen Up to win the 1990 Japan Cup.

He won the Victorian Metropolitan Jockey premiership title in four successive seasons from 1986/87 to 1989/90. In the best of those years - the 1986/87 season, he notched up 85 metropolitan winners.

The cup and visiting entourage, including Clarke, will be in Wairarapa on Saturday and Sunday, with the public being able to get a glimpse of the famous trophy in Featherston and Masterton.

Victoria Racing Club acting chief executive Julian Sullivan said the promoters of the trip were delighted to have Clarke as one of the tour ambassadors.

"New Zealand residents are sure to be inspired by the tales of triumph as told by one of our favourite Melbourne Cup winning jockeys," he said.

Clarke will be the special guest at community events, including an official welcome at Tauherenikau racecourse, and family occasion at the Anzac Hall in Featherston.