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Tenders open for the 2021 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour

Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour vision and images available for download here

Applications to host the 2021 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour have officially opened with towns, cities and communities around Australia invited to be part of the journey.

Now in its 19th year, the tour has travelled over 750,000 kilometres and visited more than 530 destinations, providing communities with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close with the $275,000 Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy.

The Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour National Sweep will return for a third year to give 24 rural and regional Cup Tour destinations across Australia the opportunity to be allocated a barrier for the 2021 Lexus Melbourne Cup.

The town which draws the barrier of the Cup-winning horse will be presented with a cash prize of $50,000 to put towards a nominated charity for a local community initiative.

The bushfire-ravaged community of Kangaroo Island in South Australia took home the $50,000 donation last year for the Royal Flying Doctors, after Twilight Payment led from start to finish to win the 160th Lexus Melbourne Cup.

Inspired by the initiative, the ownership group behind Twilight Payment matched the prize to make the total contribution of $100,000.

The President of the Kangaroo Island Racing Club Mark Turner said they were still on cloud nine after winning the Lexus Melbourne Cup National Sweep. 

"It was just such a fantastic experience to be part of last year's tour and to win the sweep was phenomenal. When Twilight Payment crossed the line in first place everyone was just jumping and screaming. We even had people bawling their eyes out with emotion," Mr Turner said.

"It was the good luck the island needed after the fires and the money has gone to an amazing cause in the Royal Flying Doctors who support the island's health care needs.

"It all started with just putting in an application to host the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour and we couldn't be more grateful to the Victoria Racing Club and the ownership group of Twilight Payment."

Last year's tour was unlike any other in history due to the COVID-19 pandemic and saw the People's Cup visit interstate destinations virtually.

VRC Chairman Neil Wilson said "we are particularly pleased to be able to take the Cup into regional areas and to provide an opportunity for fundraising and community events.  The addition of the National Sweep two years ago has added a wonderful dimension to the tour, culminating on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day."

"We look forward to being back on the road this year after our COVID-19 virtual approach in 2020."

Once selected as a tour destination, communities will be supported by the VRC to plan and host a range of memorable community events during the Cup's visit.

A stable of racing legends will accompany the coveted trophy on tour as Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour Ambassadors and share their unforgettable Melbourne Cup moments with the community.

Applications can be made online at MelbourneCupTour.com.au until Wednesday 7 April.

Successful 2021 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour submissions will be announced in June, with the tour officially commencing its journey in July.

The 2021 Melbourne Cup Carnival begins at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday 30 October with AAMI Victoria Derby Day, followed by Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday 2 November, Kennedy Oaks Day on Thursday 4 November and Seppelt Wines Stakes Day on Saturday 6 November.

Media Enquiries:
VRC PR & Content Executive Lotti Dyer
0409 520 228| L.Dyer@vrc.net.au

 Background Information

Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour

• 2021 marks the 19-year anniversary of the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour, which has seen the coveted trophy travel over 750,000 kilometres and visit more than 530 towns and cities across Australia, New Zealand and the world.
• The Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour brings communities together in celebration of the 'People's Cup' and the rich 160-year history of the Melbourne Cup, relaying the stories and heroes intrinsically linked with the iconic race.
• While on tour, the 18-carat gold Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy visits various destinations in an effort to unite communities by engaging councils, schools, hospitals, aged-care homes and racing groups in events to raise funds for local causes.
• In 2020 the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour was a combination of physical and virtual visits to 27 destinations across Australia.

Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour National Sweep

• Now in its third year, the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour National Sweep is where 24 rural and regional Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour destinations across Australia are each allocated a barrier for the 2021 Lexus Melbourne Cup.
• A barrier is the starting gate which the horse jumps from at the beginning of the race.
• The town which draws the barrier of the Lexus Melbourne Cup-winning horse will be presented with a cash prize of $50,000 to put towards a nominated charity for community projects.
• Barriers are drawn during the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour National Sweep Barrier Draw held at the end of October.
• Overseas tour destinations and capital cities in Australia are not be eligible for the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour National Sweep.