Towns invited to apply for Melbourne Cup Tour stop

Each year the Melbourne Cup trophy travels hundreds of thousands of kilometres on its way to Flemington — and now towns across the world are being invited to get a piece of the action in 2020.

Towns around the world are being told not to let the horse bolt without an application to host the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour.

Applications open today for a top town or destination to be included as a stop on this year’s tour.

In its 18th year, the tour has travelled more than 730,000km to visit 490-plus destinations, including Alice Springs.

Victoria Racing Club chief executive Neil Wilson said the tour was a chance to “opportunity to share the magic of the Cup with people all over Australia and internationally”.

“We never dreamed that it would evolve into such a significant community event, which 17

years later, continues to grow in popularity,” he said.

TOURISM PUSH FOR BUSHFIRE-DEVASTATED REGIONS

GALLOP THROUGH VICTORIA’S BEAUTIFUL ALPINE REGION

“We are humbled by the excitement and joy the Cup brings people of all ages and backgrounds on Tour, and want to ensure that as many communities as possible can share in the magic of the People’s Cup this year.”

Applications can be submitted at MelbourneCupTour.com.au until April 6.