Skip to Content

Melbourne Cup hits Port Augusta

The Port Augusta Cup trophy will be slightly overshadowed by some significant silverware on Sunday when the 2021 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour hits town.

The $275,000 18-carat gold Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy will be on show with the 2021 tour commencing it’s 44-stop journey throughout Australia this weekend.

Starting in South Australia, the 2021 Melbourne Cup tour reach as far north as Cairns in North Queensland, Longford in Tasmania and Newman in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

As well as promoting the race that stops a nation at Flemington on the first Tuesday in November, the Melbourne Cup tour unites communities by engaging councils, schools, hospitals, aged-care homes, and racing groups in events to raise funds for local causes.

A name synonymous with the Melbourne Cup and Port Augusta Racing Cub is John Letts who will be on hand to kick off the 2021 tour.

“Port Augusta is very special, we spend a lot of time up there each year but to kick the Melbourne Cup Tour off their this year will be special,’’ Letts, the Port Augusta Racing Club Ambassador, said.

“Port Augusta Cup Day is always a great, the club has great sponsors and support and I can’t wait to get back up their this week,’’ he said,

The Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour National Sweep will also return for a third year.

It gives 24 regional destinations who host the cup the opportunity to be allocated a horse and the town which draws the Cup-winning horse will be presented with a cash prize of $50,000 for their nominated charity for a local community initiative.

Kangaroo Island were lucky enough to score a $50,000 donation last year for the Royal Flying Doctors, after Twilight Payment won last year’s 160th running of the great race.

And that was matched by connections of the winner securing a $100,000 total prize.

“Now in its 19th year, the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour allows local communities to come together to share stories, celebrate their favourite racing moments and to raise funds for local community charities and initiatives in their town,’’ VRC Chairman Neil Wilson said.

“The tour also plays an important role in showcasing these towns and communities with people across Australia and the world,’’ he said.

Since its inception in 2003, the Melbourne Cup Tour has travelled more than 750,000 kilometres and visited more than 530 regional, rural and metropolitan destinations.

Sunday’s $31,800 City Of Port Augusta Cup has attracted 15 nominations led by the David Jolly-trained Andrea Mantegna.

Post categories

Racing SA - Racing Racing SA - Stories Racing SA - Latest News