Final Field for the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour National Sweep announced

The final field for the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour National Sweep has been locked in, following the official barrier draw for the Lexus Melbourne Cup tonight.

The national sweep is an exciting charity initiative ran by the Victoria Racing Club which sees 24 rural and regional towns that formed part of this year’s tour allocated a starting gate for the race that stops a nation ®, the Lexus Melbourne Cup.

The town with the barrier of the winning horse will be presented with $50,000 to put towards a charity of their choice.

Residents in Katherine in the Northern Territory were delighted when Vauban drew barrier 11, the most successful barrier in history with nine winners so far. The community has nominated Dolly’s Dream to receive the cash should their horse win.

Residents of Murray Bridge in South Australia will be cheering home Okita Soushi from barrier 10 to take home the funds for Novita Services.

Wycheproof and their nominated charity Wycheproof Community Resource Centre will be hoping Land Legend can win from barrier 18, while Rowella in Tasmania and their nominated charity The Kids’ Cancer Project will be hoping that Warp Speed can win from barrier 3.

Two representatives from each of the 24 destinations will receive an all-expenses paid trip to Flemington, courtesy of the VRC, to watch the Lexus Melbourne Cup and cheer home their horse.

Macedon in Victoria took home the $50,000 last year when Without A Fight stormed home to win the 163^rd edition of the race that stops a nation® from barrier 16. The town nominated Living Legends, home to many retired Lexus Melbourne Cup winning horses, to receive the prize money.

VRC Chairman Neil Wilson said it was great to share the excitement of the national sweep in the build-up to the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

“We are delighted by the joy that the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour brings to everyone in communities across Australia, including those in remote areas that may never be able to come to Flemington,” Mr Wilson said.

“After 22 years the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour has continued to grow, and the addition of the national sweep has been an important charity initiative of the VRC.

“The national sweep adds to the excitement of Cup Week and we look forward to welcoming the representatives from the 24 communities to Flemington on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day.”

Lexus Australia Chief Executive John Pappas said as Principal Partner of the VRC they were honoured to be part of the tour and support the national sweep initiative.

“Lexus Australia is committed to supporting the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour which sees the iconic trophy shared with people around the world,” Mr Pappas said.

“We look forward to seeing which community and nominated charity wins the national sweep while trackside on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day.”

This year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour saw the iconic trophy travel to 39 destinations, with the final route spanning six countries including Australia, Japan, USA, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Ireland.

Since its inaugural journey in 2003, the tour has travelled more than one million kilometres, visiting more than 679 destinations to unite communities and provide a once-in-life-time opportunity to get up close and experience the magic of the People’s Cup. This includes visiting 490 schools, 422 hospitals and aged care facilities, participating in over 2267 community events and raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for local fundraising initiatives.

For further information about the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour please visit MelbourneCupTour.com.au.