Spring carnival fever is already in the air as the Victoria Racing Club prepares to take the Melbourne Cup trophy on its annual international tour.
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The VRC is inviting community groups, councils and racing bodies to nominate their Australian or New Zealand town or city for the chance to host the 2015 Emirates Melbourne Cup.
Holding the $175,000, 18-carat gold trophy, affectionately known as the ‘loving cup’, offered everyday Australians the opportunity to “experience the magice of the race that stops a nation”, said VRC acting chief executive Julian Sullivan.
Mr Sullivan said the Melbourne Cup tour was an important way to celebrate the 154-year history and vibrancy of Australia’s most popular sporting event.
Now in its 13th year, the tour has travelled more than 416,000 kilometres, visited more than 300 regional, rural and metropolitan destinations with hundreds of thousands of people having had the opportunity to hold the treasured trophy.
“Through the tour we see people of all ages, from the smallest of towns to the big capital cities, embracing the opportunity to experience firsthand the trophy that has helped shape the cultural, sporting and social fabric of Australia, New Zealand and beyond,” Mr Sullivan said.
“Each year we take the Emirates Melbourne Cup to people who would otherwise never have the chance to see it, at the same time raising money for important local causes, promoting tourism to the area and acknowledging local racing heroes and stories.”
Lorne Lions Club president Stephen Hishon said his community was proud to host an event to celebrate the Melbourne Cup Carnival last year.
“The community of Lorne had an amazing time hosting the cup and tour party,” Mr Hishon said. “It was an experience the whole town will never forget.”
The VRC will announce the destinations in June. The tour will start in July and arrive at Flemington on November 3 for the 155th running of the cup. Tour ambassadors will include winning owners, jockeys, trainers and officials who will share their personal stories at community events. Tenders can be submitted at melbournecuptour.com.au.