"It's quite amazing really, from the first email which called for applications to host the Cup, to a fantastic day incorporating three separate events and involving hundreds of people."
Peter Dalziel, chairman of the Stratford Business Association (SBA), says bringing the Melbourne Cup to Stratford on Sunday was a great opportunity to showcase Stratford to a wider audience.
"The team travelling with the Cup were genuinely impressed by Stratford, the enthusiasm of everyone involved and the great events which took place during the day."
When the SBA first decided to apply to host the Cup, they didn't really think they had much chance.
"But we were delighted that we were successful. Especially when you consider this year in New Zealand it has only come to Christchurch, Auckland and Stratford."
Peter says a subcommittee was formed to plan the day,
"Our secretary/treasurer Samara Preston had a real baptism by fire as she was new to the role and had to organise this event."
Thanks to funding from the Taranaki Electricity Trust, the committee was able to arrange three events for the day says Peter.
"It helped us get the Cup to reach as many different groups of people as possible."
The morning started with a tour of the three rest homes in the town, with each getting into the spirit of the day.
"It was lovely to walk into each rest home and see all the effort the residents and staff had put into hosting the cup. People were dressed up and everyone we spoke to was genuinely interested in seeing the Cup."
At Marire Rest Home, resident Rita English was keen to speak to Emirates Melbourne Cup ambassador, retired jockey Scott Seamer, who won the cup in 2001 on Ethereal.
"She remembered me because I had been the winner in another race and she says, cost her a lot of money. Rita told me she had bet on a horse in this particular race but I pipped it at the finish and won it instead," says Scott.
The rest home visits were followed by a free family carnival and market, which despite poor weather meaning a change of venue on the day, was still very well attended.
"The War Memorial Centre was packed throughout the afternoon with people enjoying some quality market stalls along with free games for the children and some great live music by Sonic Delusion."
The final event was a formal cocktail evening at the TET Stadium Bar and Bistro.
"It was a fantastic end to what was a truly special day." The evening included some good natured gambling with two games of Calcutta, a trivia quiz and an auction which raised a total of $$3,588.00 for local charities.
"The SBA thanks everyone who got involved in any or all of the events we put on as part of the Emirates Melbourne Cup visit to Stratford and we hope people enjoyed it as much as we did."
Ten facts about the Melbourne Cup:
* The first winner of the Cup was Archer (1861). This horse has the slowest winning time of the Cup of 3:52.
* Archer, the first winner of the Cup, came from New South Wales, travelling to compete in Victoria via steamboat.
* Racing legend, Phar Lap's heart weighed 6.2kg. The average horse heart weighs 3.2kg.
* In 1972 the race was altered to the metric distance of 3200m, 18.7 metres or 61.5 feet short of two miles.
* The Emirates Melbourne Cup weighs 3.2kg and contains 1.65kg of 18-carat gold.
* The Cup takes 250 hours to hand craft.
* The Cup has three handles to represent the owner, the trainer and the jockey.
* The winner of this prestigious race didn't always receive a cup. For the first two years the winning prize included a gold watch.
* In 1865 a trophy was crafted for the winner. It was a large silver bowl on a stand. The Melbourne Cup trophy was made out of silver until 1916 when it changed to gold.
* The youngest jockey to win The Cup was Peter St. Albans on Briseis in 1876. He was 12.