The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) announced last week that Adelaide will make racing history when it joins Murray Bridge in hosting the 2017 Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour.
The successful South Australian destinations, selected for their passion for racing and community spirit, were announced at a special event at 2016 Emirates Melbourne Cup winning owner Lloyd Williams’ training facilities at Mount Macedon, Victoria.
John LePlastrier, Chief Operating Officer of the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia, said they were thrilled to be part of the Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour which would provide the community with the opportunity to come together and experience the magic that is the Melbourne Cup.
Racing royalty joined the celebrations, including five-time Melbourne Cup winning owner Mr Williams, 2016 Emirates Melbourne Cup winning horse Alamandin, 2007 Emirates Melbourne Cup winning horse Efficient and Flemington Ambassador Georgia Connolly.
Commencing on July 1, the $200,000 trophy will visit 31 destinations across Australia and New Zealand, starting in West Wyalong in regional NSW, where the gold used by ABC Bullion to make the trophy is mined, before returning to Flemington for ‘The ‘Race That Stops A Nation’™ on the first Tuesday in November.
VRC Chairman Amanda Elliott said the Cup is an Australian cultural icon so it’s only fitting that the trophy and its rich history is taken on a journey to meet the people.
“Since the Tour began in 2003, we have delighted in bringing communities together in the shared history and magic of this extraordinary phenomenon,” said Elliott. “In an exciting journey, the Cup will also travel by train on The Ghan from Adelaide to Alice Springs taking the trophy to Australia’s red centre.”
Since its inaugural year, the Tour has travelled more than 494,000 kilometres and visited more than 377 regional, rural and metropolitan destinations, providing communities with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the magic of the Emirates Melbourne Cup firsthand.
Community members are encouraged to upload photos with the Cup to Facebook, using the hashtags #PeoplesCup and #EmiratesMelbourneCup, for the chance to win a trip for two to Flemington for the running of the 2017 Emirates Melbourne Cup.
EMIRATES MELBOURNE CUP TOUR DESTINATIONS:
New South Wales – Sydney, West Wyalong, Bathurst, Nowra, Bermagui, Mudgee, Widden, Cessnock, Lismore
Western Australia – Perth, Roebourne, Kununurra
New Zealand – Christchurch, Stratford, Auckland
Northern Territory – Alice Springs
Queensland – Brisbane, Gold Coast, Rockhampton, Central Highlands (Springsure, Emerald, Clermont), Barcaldine, Longreach, Winton
South Australia – Adelaide, Murray Bridge
Tasmania – Longford
Victoria – Melbourne, Ararat, Ballan, Euroa, Echuca
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