Former Titans rugby league legend Anthony Don is still in disbelief that he will be participating in this year’s Melbourne Cup as a co-owner. Alongside a group of his friends, they utilized their punter’s club bonus to purchase shares in the European-import horse Kalapour, initially having modest expectations. However, everything changed when Kalapour emerged victorious in the Archer Stakes on Derby Day, securing the final spot in the prestigious Melbourne Cup.
Despite being kept busy in his retirement as a coach at Palm Beach Currumbin and serving as an ambassador for the Titans and TopSport, Don never imagined he would represent the Gold Coast in the iconic horse race. He swiftly adjusted his schedule to be present at Flemington and support the Kris Lees-trained gelding.
Don expressed his astonishment, saying, “I’m still pinching myself that we’re off to the great race. After buying Kalapour with a few mates who are in our punter’s club, it’s been a great thrill because we never expected it to get this far. We might only have a small percentage, but it’s unbelievable to think we own a horse racing in the Melbourne Cup.”
Known as the greatest of all time (GOAT) among the Titans faithful for breaking the club’s points-scoring record with 85 tries in 152 games, Don is optimistic about Kalapour’s chances in the Melbourne Cup, given the unpredictable nature of the race. He emphasized the importance of taking opportunities and highlighted his faith in Kris Lees’ training abilities. Don acknowledges that they have a one in 24 chance, just like all the other competitors, and he humorously compared it to his career with the Titans, where he seized the opportunity and made the most of it.
Don shared some interesting facts about the Melbourne Cup, such as the significance of a horse’s age, the rarity of back-to-back victories, and the role of jockeys in the race. He also mentioned the importance of securing the best odds in the Cup, promoting TopSport’s Best of the Best for Group 1 races. He encouraged people to have fun picking their favorite runners or to check out TopSport’s curated Titanic special, created by himself, a racing enthusiast and Titans legend.
The Melbourne Cup is scheduled to take place at 2pm (QLD) on Tuesday, November 7.
