The former Miss Universe Australia Scherri-Lee Biggs with local children at the announcement of the 2014 Melbourne Cup tour destinations at Living Legends in Victoria. Photo/Supplied
The former Miss Universe Australia Scherri-Lee Biggs with local children at the announcement of the 2014 Melbourne Cup tour destinations at Living Legends in Victoria. Photo/Supplied
The trophy for the richest 3200m handicap in the world will stop off in Wanganui in September as the city hosts a leg of the 2014 Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour.
The Victoria Racing Club announced on Wednesday that Wanganui would be one of 34 destinations for the cup, including fiveNew Zealand stops, on the 14-week tour starting in July.
The 18-carat gold trophy worth A$175,000 ($189,000) will then return to Melbourne in late October before the 154th running of the cup on November 4.
Wanganui Jockey Club operations manager Bret Field, said it was a delight to learn Wanganui would host a leg of the cup tour.
"The cup visit provides the opportunity for Wanganui and surrounding communities to celebrate this proud icon of Australian history while drawing attention to local landmarks, including Virginia Lake and Wanganui River."
On previous tours, host destinations have often been chosen on their connection to the cup's history.
The 2011 version of the trophy visited Waverley, the home of 1983 cup winner Kiwi and his trainer Snow Lupton.
This year's Wanganui visit will pay tribute to 1936 stayer Wotan, bred and trained by the Smith brothers from Wanganui, who took the cup at Flemington at odds of 100/1.
