MORURA - MOURYA  CUP

The Stone Behind the Bridge

Alottosay claimed the 2026 Moruya Cup, a wonderful result for Brian Adams’ tiny stable.

Presenters: Jack and Lucy Mercer

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Lucy spotted it before I did. She always does.

We’d only just crossed the bridge into Moruya when she pointed out the beautiful blue-grey granite appearing around the town, and it turns out there’s a very good reason for that.

This town supplied the granite used to face the great pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

THE STONE BEHIND THE BRIDGE

In the late 1920s and early 1930s, hundreds of workers and their families were connected with the quarry operation here. Stonemasons and quarrymen cut and dressed the Moruya granite before it began its journey north to become part of one of Australia’s most recognisable landmarks.

A small settlement grew around the quarry.

They called it, quite plainly, Granitetown.

We drove out to the old quarry site itself, a quiet spot on the river now remembered at Quarry Park, and stood there trying to picture all those men working stone where today everything feels remarkably peaceful.

Lucy read every information board twice.

I mostly just liked the view.

DOWN BY THE RIVER

Back in town, the markets were in full swing down by the river. Local produce, good coffee and a bloke selling honey who somehow talked us into three jars before we’d even asked the price.

We had lunch at a café Lucy chose entirely because of the building it was in.

She wasn’t wrong about that either.

We’d come down for the Moruya Cup, which gave us the excuse.

But the town gave us the reason to stay two nights instead of one.

If you like a place with a bit of grit, a beautiful river and a story hidden inside its own stone walls, put Moruya on the list when next year’s Cup comes around.

And next time you look at the Sydney Harbour Bridge, spare a thought for the little South Coast town that helped put the granite around those famous pylons.

THE MORUYA CUP

5 January 2026

Christmas and New Year had come and gone.

The cruiser hadn’t.

By early January, Kenny, Tommy and Finn were back on the road, this time heading down the South Coast to Moruya.

Cup number five.

Tommy looked at the field.

“Who’s yours?”

Finn took his time.

ALOTTOSAY

Kenny looked across.

“Why?”

“Because nobody else seems to want her.”

Tommy laughed.

“That’s your form analysis?”

“Sometimes.”

But there was a story behind Alottosay.

She came from the tiny stable of Brian Adams, a trainer with only a couple of horses, and Louise Day had the ride.

No giant operation. No army of horses.

TWO HORSES. ONE MORUYA CUP

Just a little stable having a crack at a country Cup.

As they swung for home, Kenny leaned against the rail.

“She’s in this.”

Louise Day was already at work.

Alottosay began to come.

Mighty Myrtle fought back.

The crowd found its voice.

So did Tommy.

“Come on, Louise!”

Stride by stride, Alottosay kept finding.

Then she was there.

Through the line.

ALOTTOSAY HAD WON THE MORUYA CUP.

Finn watched Louise bringing the mare back.

“Two horses,” he said.

Kenny nodded.

“That’s all he’s got?”

“Apparently.”

Finn looked back towards the winner.

“Imagine having two horses and one of them wins the bloody Moruya Cup.”

Tommy smiled.

“That’s racing, son.”

And really, that was Moruya.

Sometimes you don’t need the biggest stable or the biggest team.

YOU JUST NEED ONE GOOD HORSE ON THE RIGHT DAY