The move for a public sculpture in memory of champion racehorse Archer has progressed another step, with Shoalhaven City Council calling for expressions of interest.
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In partnership with Shoalhaven Turf Club, council proposes to commission the public artwork within the Nowra CBD.
Shoalhaven City Turf Club CEO Lynne Locke said the life size representation of Archer, his trainer Etienne De Mestre and jockey Johnny Cutts would create a centre of pride and attraction for locals and tourists to the area.
“We’re virtually sitting on a tourism goldmine,” she said.
“Lets do something about it, get this statue up and going.
“It’s something the community can be proud of and it will be a fantastic tourist attraction for the Shoalhaven and also the locals, they can come and have their photos taken with it.
“I can’t think of anything better than for us to identify with Archer who won the first Melbourne Cup.”
Trained by Etienne De Mestre and ridden by Johnny Cutts, Archer was the inaugural winner of the 1861 Melbourne Cup and went on the win it again the following year.
De Mestre trained the imposing horse, who stood 16.3 hands, at Terara and is the most successful Melbourne Cup trainer behind Bart Cummings with five wins to his name.
It is intended, the bronze work will provide for De Mestre to be leading or close to Archer and the jockey riding the horse.
Expressions of interest are to be submitted by May 11 and can be submitted at www.tenderlink.com/shoalhaven.
