Since its inception in 2003, the Victoria Racing Club (VRC)'s annual Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour (EMCT) has provided rural, regional and metropolitan communities across Australasia the chance to experience the magic of the $175,000 iconic trophy first hand.

Celebrating the essence of 'being Australian', the Tour highlights the contribution the Melbourne Cup has made to the nation's social, sporting and racing culture.

The Tour’s history

In its tenth year, the EMCT has travelled more than 250,000 kilometres, visited more than 210 different destinations in Australia and New Zealand and engaged tens of thousands of people.

Living up to its status as the 'People's Cup', the Tour has visited more than 154 aged care and hospital facilities, 176 schools and participated in more than 625 community events and celebrations in the past nine years.

Reflecting the VRC's support of grass roots racing, the EMCT has also visited 132 race days across Australia and New Zealand.

2012 Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour

2012 will be an exciting year in that it will mark the 10th anniversary of this event, where an Australian icon travels extensively in the lead up to Australia’s greatest horse race.

The Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour is a socially inclusive event, empowering communities across Australasia to conduct community based events.

The event adheres to the following key objectives:

• Take the People’s Cup to the People
• Highlight the cultural and social significance of the Melbourne Cup
• Celebrate the heroes connected with the Emirates Melbourne Cup race.

2012 Emirates Melbourne Cup tender applications are now open.

Select your relevant category and apply online: 

• A metropolitan or capital city tender application form
• A major regional centre (20,000+ population) tender application form
• A rural town (up to 20,000 population) tender application form.

All enquiries: Email Wrights PR. 

Track where the 2011 Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour visited and view our photo galleries:

• On our website with our Daily Diary and Tour map.
• On our Facebook Page, Flemington: Home of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.