The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) today announced that Cairns in Far North Queensland will join racing history when it plays host to the 2021 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour. The iconic trophy will tour Cairns from Thursday 9 September to Saturday 11 September and attend the Cairns Amateurs Carnival. The People’s Cup will also make a special visit to The Great Barrier Reef.

Cairns will join 29 other towns and cities across Australia that will be part of the 19^th annual tour, which will see the magic of the People’s Cup shared with all Australians. Cairns Amateurs President David Goodman said they are looking forward to being part of this year’s tour. “The local community is thrilled that the Melbourne Cup trophy will make the trek to far north Queensland in September for the Cairns Amateurs Carnival.

“Our three-day carnival is the city’s most iconic event and we look forward to showcasing the Lexus Melbourne Cup as part of the event.” Cairns will also be part of the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour National Sweep, which will give 24 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 Lexus Melbourne 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 a total contribution of $100,000. VRC Chairman Neil Wilson said this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour will celebrate 19 years on the road.

“The VRC is pleased to be taking the iconic Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy back on the road after restricted travel last year, and sharing it with the nation again,” Mr Wilson said. “Now in its 19^th year, the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour allows local communities to come together to share stories, celebrate their favourite racing moments and raise funds for local community charities and initiatives in their town. “The tour also plays an important role in showcasing these towns and communities with people across Australia and the world.

“The addition of the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour National Sweep two years ago has added another wonderful dimension to the tour and we look forward to sharing $50,000 with the successful community later this year.”

Chief Executive of Lexus Australia, Scott Thompson, said as Principal Partner of the VRC they were honoured to again be driving this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour. “We are thrilled to be entering our fourth year as naming rights sponsor of the Lexus Melbourne Cup, and the 19th year of our relationship with the VRC,” Mr. Thompson said.

“The Lexus Melbourne Cup is the People’s Cup, and we look forward to playing our part in sharing the iconic trophy with communities across Australia, as well as supporting fundraising efforts in all states and territories.” The Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour will officially kick off on Saturday 3 July when the Cup visits Port Augusta in South Australia and attends the Port Augusta Cup race meeting.

Since the tour first began in 2003, the iconic trophy has travelled more than 750,000 kilometres and visited more than 530 regional, rural and metropolitan destinations, providing communities with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the magic of the Lexus Melbourne Cup. For further information about the 2021 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour please visit melbournecuptour.com.au.