Bendigo and Fosterville combined forces as a Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour destination and drew barrier 19 to be allocated the Chris Waller trained Verry Elleegant and subsequently win the sweep.
The Cup visited Bendigo and Fosterville on tour in September and despite a COVID limited schedule, the iconic trophy was able to delight the community with a visit to the Golden Dragon Museum and the Central Deborah Gold Mine.
The People’s Cup also visited the Fosterville Gold Mine, where the gold used in this year’s trophy was sourced.
Despite initial scepticism after drawing a wide barrier in the sweep, the towns’ hopes were boosted when reigning Australian Horse of the Year Verry Elleegant was confirmed to run in the race and drew barrier 19 at the Lexus Melbourne Cup Barrier Draw.
Kirkland Lake Gold’s General Manager of Fosterville Gold Mine, Lance Faulkner said the communities were over the moon with the result.
“It was an amazing feeling when Verry Elleegant crossed the line first and we realised we had won. Everyone in the community is just so thrilled and we felt very lucky to host the Cup on tour when it visited in September,” Mr Faulkner said.
“The $50,000 will go towards Sunshine Bendigo, a not-for-profit community organisation helping families with young children in the Bendigo and Central Victoria area who are experiencing challenging times.”
Victoria Racing Club (VRC) Chief Executive Officer Steve Rosich congratulated the Bendigo and Fosterville community.
“The VRC is very proud to present local charity Sunshine Bendigo with $50,000 as part of the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour National Sweep,” Mr Rosich said.
“We hope this donation assists in the valuable work they do in supporting young children in Bendigo.”
The Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour National Sweep was introduced by the VRC in 2019 as part of the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour and sees 24 rural and regional Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour destinations across Australia allocated a starting gate for ‘the race that stops a nation’™, the 2021 Lexus Melbourne Cup.
The town which draws the barrier of the Lexus Melbourne Cup-winning horse receives $50,000 to put towards a charity supporting a local community initiative.
