Towns vie for Cup honours

Towns and communities across Australia can now enter the running to be part of the 2024 Melbourne Cup Tour, with applications opening today.

Samantha Strano “always dreamt of being a jockey” – so having the biggest prize in Australian racing visit her home to help launch the 2024 Melbourne Cup Tour was a thrill.

“Everyone stops to watch the Melbourne Cup,” she said. “It has such an amazing history.”

Towns and cities across the world now have the chance to be a part of that history by applying to host the 22nd annual tour.

The 18-carat-gold trophy has travelled more than one million kilometres to visit 640-odd destinations since its establishment in 2003.

Samantha Strano and Daniel Favaro, pictured with children Maddie, 6, and Darcy, 4, former racehorse Fred, pony Idaho and Kelpies Ellie and Gus, hope the Melbourne Cup Tour will visit their region. Picture: Zoe Phillips

The Cup’s itinerary featured 41 stops in seven countries last year – from Tokyo, London, Hong Kong and Auckland to Kangaroo Island, Darwin, Sydney and Cairns.

Ms Strano, from small Macedon Ranges town Springfield, hopes the 2024 tour will include nearby Lancefield or Romsey. She would particularly love for the Cup to visit her six-year-old daughter Maddie’s school in the former town.

“I grew up with horses, I’ve got an ex-racehorse now – Fred, who raced as Faltastic,” she said. “Hopefully one of those towns gets behind it.”

Twenty-four of the chosen destinations will enter a “national sweep” that will put them in the running to win $50,000 for a charity of their choice. The 2023 winner, Macedon, gave the cash to Living Legends, home to many retired Melbourne Cup champions.

Applications are open until April 17 via at MelbourneCupTour.com.au, with successful submissions to be revealed in June before the tour kicks off later that month.