Opposite page: Stephen Curry (Damien Oliver) with Damien Oliver. This page from left: Jodi Gordon (Trish Oliver) with Trish Oliver; Daniel Macpherson (Jason Oliver) and Alice Parkinson (Jenny); Brendan Gleeson (Dermot Weld) and Harli Ames (Saeed Bin Suroor)
legendary Bill Hunter is trainer Bart Cummings
Race horses from across the state are playing
and Shaun Micallef is Lee Freedman.
the equine stars of The Cup, including Media
Jodi Gordon plays Damien’s wife, Trish and Alice
Puzzle, Vinnie Roe and Pugin. There are
Media Puzzle is being portrayed by Primos
Parkinson is Jason’s girlfriend, Jenny. Singer
currently 43 horses in work at a stud farm on
Gold, sired by Primo Valentino from Ireland.
and actress Colleen Hewett is playing Damien
the outskirts of Melbourne preparing for the re-
This four-year-old chestnut had two race
and Jason’s mum, Pat. Stephen’s brother,
creation of some of Australia’s greatest horse
starts without earning any winnings. The
Andrew Curry plays Damien and Jason’s father,
races.
horse department says Primos Gold has
Ray, who was killed in a riding accident in 1975.
More than 100 actors, a crew of more than 100
The equine stars
“the King of the barn attitude, but is a bit of a softy underneath”.
Other cast members include Lewis Fitzgerald
and 3000 extras will bring The Cup to life under
who is playing the wealthy Irish racehorse
the creative eye of Simon Wincer and his team.
Vinnie Roe is being portrayed by Illite ,
owner, Sir Michael Smurfit and Rodger Corser
Simon has directed some celebrated films and
sired by the Australian horse, Danzero .
who is playing North Melbourne footballer,
television series including Phar Lap, The Light
This five-year-old black brown had three
Jason McCartney.
Horsemen, Free Willy, The Phantom, Lonesome
starts without success. He’s described as
Managing Director of Roadshow Films, Joel
Dove, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles and
a beautiful looking “look at me type” with
Pearlman says “Quite simply, The Cup is an
Into the West.
inquisitive nature.
Production designer is Lis Thomas. Director of
Pugin is portrayed by Stand & Fire, sired by
Photography is David Burr. Costume designer
Noverre from the US. The five-year-old bay
is Julie Middleton. The horses are being trained
had 20 race starts for two wins and three
by Evanne Chesson.
places, collecting $7,695 in winnings. A
extraordinary story made all the more impactful because it is true. Simon Wincer has been working on this project for many years and we are delighted to be working on it with him. He has assembled a remarkable cast and we are greatly looking forward to bringing this truly
The script of The Cup is written by Simon
iconic moment in sporting history to the screen
Wincer and Eric O’Keefe, who have published
in 2011”.
a book of the same name.
magnificent looking beast with a rich copper gold coat, Stand & Fire is a real character with a lovely temperament.”
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