A bagpiper all the way from playing at a record-breaking ACDC event in Melbourne heralded the start of the inaugural Cane Toad Cup at Chilly’s on Saturday night.

Race master and MC Nicky G says the piper got talking to one of the radio personalities from the Johnny and Inkie Breakfast Show, and next minute he was all set to join in with the toad race.

“He went home to his hotel room and got his bagpipes and played as they came in,” Nicky G says.

The huge entrance signalled the start of what he hopes will become an annual occasion.

“It was a fantastic event,” he says.

About 40 people came up on the bus from Cairns for the show, with seven entrants making the final after the late scratching of Camel Toad.

Hoptimus Prime took out the prestigious event, with the winner receiving a “big trophy”.

Other toads included Ribbit De Niro, David Hasslehop and Croakadile Dundee.

The Cup was run after the usual cane toad racing which happens at Chilly’s Pizza and Trattoria regularly during the tourist season.

The toad arena at Chilly’s has long been a hit with locals and visitors alike, while Nicky G has been running cane toad races for about 30 years.