Geelongannounced As Official Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour Destination

GEELONGANNOUNCED AS OFFICIAL EMIRATES MELBOURNE CUP TOUR DESTINATION

The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) today announced Geelong as one of 34official 2014 Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour (EMCT) destinations.

Starting in York, W.A, the Cup will arrive in Geelong on Saturday, 25th October 2014 as it makes its way across Australia and New Zealand to enable locals to experience first-hand the magic and history of the Cup ahead of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, Craig Ondarchiewas joined by local students and racing royalty Might and Power, Doriemus, Brew, Efficient and Rogan Josh to reveal the 34 Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour destinations at Living Legends in Greenvale, Victoria.

Cr Bruce Harwood, Acting Mayor said the City of Greater Geelong and the Geelong Racing Racing Club along with the entire community are delighted to be hosting the Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour this year.

“The Emirates Melbourne Cup visit provides the opportunity for Geelong and surrounding communities to celebrate this proud icon of Australian history side by side with local landmarks, such asiconic Corio Bay and of course The Geelong Cup.” said Acting Mayor Harwood .

“What a great opportunity this is for Geelong to showcase our communityand proud racing culture.”

Geelong is a strong regional community and an excellent visit for the Cup where it will be hosted at the National Wool Museum with free entry all day, giving both residents and visitors the opportunity to see the cup in person and gain more knowledge about the Emirates Melbourne Cup and its regional racing connections.

The $175,000, 18-carat gold Emirates Melbourne Cup will commence its three and a half month Tour in July accompanied by Melbourne Cup veterans and racing legends who will share their personal stories with locals throughout the Tour.

The 2014 Emirates Melbourne Cup will return to Melbourne on Monday 27 October, kicking off the celebrationsleading into the Melbourne Cup Carnival before the running of the 154thEmirates Melbourne Cup on Tuesday 4 November 2014.

EMCT Destinations:

Western Australia – York, Perth

Northern Territory – Darwin

New South Wales – Sydney, Murwillumbah/Tweed, Lismore, Ballina, Wagga Wagga, Cootamundra, Grenfell, Deniliquin

Queensland – Brisbane, Charleville, Birdsville, Charters Towers, Home Hill, Gold Coast and Noosa
Australian Capital Territory – Canberra

Victoria – Melbourne, Wodonga, Bendigo, Stawell, Lorne, Geelong

South Australia – Adelaide

Tasmania – Hobart, Sorell

New Zealand – Wellington,Featherston, Whakatane, Auckland, , New Plymouth, Wanganui

melbournecup.com

ENDS

For further information and to confirm your attendance please contact:

PPR:

Julia Henkel – PPR for Victoria Racing Club

0423 767 898 or

Verity Clough – PPR for Victoria Racing Club

0417 385 068 or

Victoria Racing Club:

Belinda Meyers – Community Engagements Manager

0412 122 532 or