Sir Patrick Hogan with the 2016 Cup and Sir Tristram statue. PHOTO/ SUPPLIED
Sir Patrick Hogan with the 2016 Cup and Sir Tristram statue. PHOTO/ SUPPLIED
The prestigious Melbourne Cup is scheduled to be passing trhough Whanganui this year.
The hype for the most famous race in Australasia has started early with tenders now open for Whanganui community groups to host the 2017 Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour in July.
The last time the tour was hostedin Whanganui was in 2014 and this year the tour will celebrate a 15-year milestone and visit more than 30 destinations in its annual trek across New Zealand and Australia.
Victoria Racing Club chief executive Simon Love said the tour aimed to provide communities an opportunity to experience the "magic" of the trophy _ which contains 44 pieces of 18 carat gold and is worth $193,000 - first-hand.
"We are humbled by the pleasure the Cup provides to people of all ages, and want to ensure that as many communities as possible share the same unique opportunity this year," he said.
Last year the trophy toured 34 destinations, visiting schools, councils, hospitals, aged-care facilities and racing clubs - each one able to hold community events, raise funds and support local causes using the lustre of the trophy. Previous racing legends also join the tour sharing their personal racing stories.
The tour starts in July before the Cup returns to Melbourne for the running of the 157th Emirates Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in November.
Tenders should be submitted at melbournecuptour.com.au by 5pm (AEST) on Monday 3 April and successful destinations will be announced in June.
