Since its establishment in 2003, the tour has seen the iconic trophy and racing legends journey far and wide across Australia and the world, with previous destinations including Birdsville in central Queensland, Tokyo in Japan, Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, York in the United Kingdom, Deloraine in Tasmania and Kangaroo Island in South Australia.
Now in its 22nd year, the tour has travelled over one million kilometres, visiting more than 640 destinations to unite communities and provide the once-in-life-time opportunity to get up close and experience the magic of the People’s Cup. This includes visiting 482 schools, 401 hospitals and aged care facilities, participating in over 2100 community events and raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for local fundraising initiatives.
The Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour National Sweep is an important VRC charity initiative and will return as part of this year’s program to give 24 rural and regional Cup Tour destinations across Australia the opportunity to be allocated a barrier for the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup.
Representatives from each of the 24 destinations will be flown to Melbourne to watch the Lexus Melbourne Cup live on track at Flemington and the town which draws the barrier of the
winning horse will be presented with a cash prize of $50,000 to put towards a charity of their choice.
Macedon took home the $50,000 donation last year after Without A Fight stormed home to win the 163rd edition of the Lexus Melbourne Cup. The regional Victorian town nominated
Living Legends, home to many retired Melbourne Cup champions, as their charity of choice.
VRC Chairman Neil Wilson said the tour is the club’s most significant and far-reaching community engagement program.
“The Melbourne Cup Carnival is one of Australia’s most significant and iconic sporting and cultural events, that has reach across Australia and internationally. The VRC is committed to using the platform to deliver positive outcomes and meaningful experiences for the broader community via the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour and the National Sweep,” Mr Wilson said.
“After 21 years, the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour has continued to grow and evolve into a significant community event that allows us to share the magic of the Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy in their locations which is often in remote parts of Australia or overseas, far away from Flemington.
“We are incredibly humbled by the joy and excitement that the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour continues to bring to all ages and we encourage every community, no matter where they are
located or how many residents call it home, to apply to host this year’s edition.”
Once selected as a Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour destination, communities will be supported by the VRC to plan and host a range of memorable community events the during the Cup’s visit.
A stable of racing legends will accompany the Cup as tour ambassadors and share their unforgettable Lexus Melbourne Cup moments.
Applications can be made online at MelbourneCupTour.com.au until Wednesday 17 April.
Successful 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour submissions will be announced in June, with the tour officially commencing its journey in June.
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