Kel has been organising and escorting groups to sporting events worldwide for the past 40 years! The Melbourne Cup is a personal favourite, and he can't wait to accompany the next group to his 37th Cup event!
So what makes Kel's Melbourne Cup tour package so special? It's the passion, for starters, as well as being accompanied by the legendary Des Coppins, both of whom go the extra mile to ensure tour members have an enjoyable and memorable experience.
In fact, Kel recalls with much delight, one particular tour. He often receives requests to accommodate solo travellers who prefer to share a room and generally tries his best to match up age and personality. On this trip, at breakfast after the first night, Kel was approached by one such tour member who asked "where the hell did you find my room mate?". When Kel dug deeper, it turned out the room mate snored horrendously. Kel offered to find him a single room, but he said he'd give it one more night and see how things went.
After breakfast the following day, Kel approached the gentleman and asked how his night had been. His response had Kel in fits: "No problem. i think i have sorted it." Kel dug deeper and the explanation was: "Being a bit of a night owl, I stayed out longer than my room mate. When I let myself into the room, my room mate was in bed reading. I went to the bathroom and got myself ready for bed ... but before turning my bed light off, I lent down and gave my room mate a peck on the cheek and said 'sleep well, dear'. Well, I slept like a log but I don't know about him - he must have been awake all night because i never heard any snoring!"
While the Melbourne Cup race is obviously the big drawcard, these tours do include a lot more! This year, just some of the tour highlights they have lined up include:
- Friday night - Welcome function with drinks and nibbles
- Saturday night - Drinks after the races
- Sunday - Full day tour to Racing stables and luch at Dingley Hotel owned by former well known jockey Gary Willets
- Monday morning - Sporting Tours Social Bowls Tournament and in the evening Cup Eve Dinner
- Tuesday - Drinks an nibbles after the races
- Wednesday - A choice of 2 full day tours to either Kyneton Races or Wine Tasting
- Thursday - Farewell function with drinks and nibbles
At this stage, there are a mix of folk from all ages booked into the tour, including horse trainers, horse owners and everyday racegoers.
And you may just be on a winning streak if you take the advice of Des' good friend, Brett Davison. Brett is a leading Australian racing tipster, and both he and Des will offer their tips for picking a winner. In fact, their tipping sheets are given to tour members on the bus trip to the racecourse each year. Over the years, they have picked many winners at very lucrative odds!
The tours are always fun, action packed and thoroughly memorable ... will you be on the next one? If you're keen, get in touch soon as spaces are limited!
A Mondo Travel release || August 16, 2017 |||