Horsing around in some oversized shoes were a pair of unusually gigantic jockeys, especially in proportion to the size of their mighty steeds called Lucky Last and Sneezy.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Rocko the jockey, also known as Pablo Latona, and Butch the jockey, who usually goes by the name of Joel Barcham, kept yesterday's Melbourne Cup festivities at Thoroughbred Park just a little bit silly.
They refused to answer allegations that their massive size was on account of growth hormones or doping.
''No comment,'' was the terse reply.
They joked they had been contenders in last year's Melbourne Cup but had taken a left turn and got a bit lost.
''So we haven't finished that race yet. We think we've set some sort of record.''
Breaking character, the professional stilt-walkers of local roving entertainment company The Fool Factory said it wasn't hard at all to run around a racecourse in precarious stunt footwear.
''It's actually much easier for us than it appears to be for the ladies here,'' Latona said.
Racegoers had a positive reaction to the massive athletes.
Burcham said, ''People are smiling, laughing ... and threatening to push us over. There have been a few tackle attempts, but we're spry.''
Latona said, ''We're on steeds as well, that does help.''
Having asked a lot of punters for good cup day tips, their most common reply had been ''Don't bet.''
