Lee Goes from Test Star to Rock Star at the Penrith Paceway

11 March 2025

From Mumbai to Manchester to the iconic MCG, cricket great Brett Lee has played at a range of venues but never in front of a crowd like the one he’ll encounter in Penrith on Saturday night.

The former test quick, together with his fellow state and national teammates who form the band Six & Out, will be part of an all-star line-up when Harness Racing New South Wales brings its high-octane Carnival of Cups series to Sydney’s west.

And this time, instead of supporting legends of the likes of McGrath and Warne, Lee and his band of brothers will be sharing the trackside billing with Australian rock icons Birds of Tokyo and Sarah McLeod.

“It’s going to be outstanding. The fact that we get to share a stage with the Birds of Tokyo is a real bucket list moment,” Lee said.

The Carnival of Cups has taken in venues across the state since September last year, combining a unique hybrid model of harness racing and music festival entertainment. Throughout the night, bands play trackside in between the eight-race program. It is free to attend and 8000 people turned up in Albury last month.

“It’s going to be massive. The best musos, the best horses on show, the best crowd. We can’t wait,” Lee said.

“The thing with cricket is you wake up the next morning with a sore back. With a band you wake up with a sore head the next morning.”

Penrith will be the finale of the second season of the revamped Carnival of Cups series and there is significant cash up for grabs for star horse Swayzee if he can win the feature race – the time-honoured Renshaw Cup.

So far Swayzee has won three of the four legs of the series. If he wins the Renshaw Cup he will earn a $500,000 bonus cheque for connections.

And it mightn’t be the only high-stakes contest at the Penrith Paceway, with Six & Out challenging Birds of Tokyo to a backstage game of cricket prior to their performance.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun. They love their cricket and we hear they’re keen to catch up with us but trust me, we’re looking forward to catching up with them. We’re huge fans and they’re a serious band,” Shane Lee said.

The Carnival of Cups at Penrith Paceway on Saturday 15 March is free for all but you do need to register for a ticket beforehand. Head to www.carnivalofcups.com.au to register.