The town that draws the barrier of the eventual Lexus Melbourne Cup-winning horse will be presented with a cash prize of $50,000 to put towards a registered charity for a local community initiative.
Representatives from each of the 24 destinations dialled in virtually to select their barrier, with Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour Ambassador and former Chief Steward, Des Gleeson, also on hand as part of the event, selecting the barriers on the town’s behalf.
Residents of Deloraine in regional Tasmania were delighted when they drew barrier 11, the most successful barrier in Cup history with nine winners so far. The community has nominated Motor Neurone Disease Association of Tasmania to receive the cash prize should their horse win.
Kangaroo Island in South Australia and their nominated charity Royal Flying Doctors Service (SA/NT) will be hoping for the best on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day after drawing barrier 18, while Mount Isa and their charity Royal Flying Doctor Service (QLD) will jump from barrier 1.
Thargomindah in Queensland will be hoping the winning horse jumps from their selected barrier 15 to help raise funds for Drought Angels after experiencing prolonged drought. While Orange in New South Wales drew the widest gate for Push for Palliative, selecting barrier number 24.
Ballarat in Victoria will be cheering for the horse in barrier 19 to add to their Lexus Melbourne Cup success if they win for The Ballarat Foundation with 2015 Cup-winning jockey and Cup Tour regular Michelle Payne OAM also calling Ballarat home.
Destinations will be eagerly awaiting this Saturday’s Lexus Melbourne Cup Barrier Draw following the conclusion of Penfolds Victoria Derby Day to see which horse will compete for their town.
Destination representatives will be flown to Melbourne to watch the Lexus Melbourne Cup live at Flemington and to cheer the horse running in their towns allocated barrier home.
Gold Coast took home the $50,000 donation last year when Gold Trip stormed home to win the Lexus Melbourne Cup from barrier 13. The winnings were split between two important initiatives including the Griffith University for Glycomics, which aims to produce ground-breaking research and the National Breast Cancer Foundation, a charity which funds world class breast cancer research.
VRC Chairman Neil Wilson said the club was looking forward to welcoming the 24 national sweep representatives to Flemington on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day.“Since its inception, the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour has travelled to over 600 destinations and helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity and community initiatives,” Mr Wilson said.“The Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour National Sweep is an important annual VRC event, and we look forward to welcoming all 24 town representatives to Flemington to be part of the magic of Lexus Melbourne Cup Day.
“This is the fifth year of the national sweep, and we are delighted to see the $50,000 prize go to meaningful programs in the past four years such as the Royal Flying Doctors in Kangaroo Island, Sunshine in Bendigo and various local initiatives in Bunyip and Gold Coast.
“We can’t wait to congratulate the winning town and see which charity this year’s donation goes towards.”
Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour National Sweep Results
|
Town Represented
|
Barrier Drawn
|
Charity
|
|
Balaklava (SA)
|
10
|
Walara Incorporated
|
|
Ballarat (VIC)
|
19
|
The Ballarat Foundation
|
|
Bendigo (VIC)
|
17
|
Bendigo District RSL
|
|
Boort (VIC)
|
3
|
Royal Flying Doctor Service (VIC)
|
|
Boulia (QLD)
|
2
|
Far North Queensland Catholic Indigenous Social Services
|
|
Broome (WA)
|
8
|
The Kyle Andrews Foundation
|
|
Cairns (QLD)
|
12
|
Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation
|
|
Coffs Coast (NSW)
|
5
|
Coffs Harbour Pink Silks
|
|
Cunnamulla (QLD)
|
21
|
Royal Flying Doctor Service (QLD)
|
|
Deloraine (TAS)
|
11
|
Motor Neurone Disease Association of Tasmania
|
|
Gold Coast (QLD)
|
7
|
Sea World Foundation
|
|
Hillston (NSW)
|
22
|
Cancer Patients Assistance Society of New South Wales
|
|
Kangaroo Island (SA)
|
18
|
Royal Flying Doctors Service (SA/NT)
|
|
Macedon (VIC)
|
16
|
Living Legends
|
|
Maitland (NSW)
|
14
|
Carrie’s Place
|
|
Mount Isa (QLD)
|
1
|
Royal Flying Doctor Service (QLD)
|
|
Nagambie (VIC)
|
6
|
Nagambie Health Care
|
|
Orange (NSW)
|
24
|
Push for Palliative
|
|
Pinjarra (WA)
|
23
|
Riding for the Disabled Murray Mandurah Branch
|
|
Port Augusta (SA)
|
20
|
Royal Flying Doctors Service (SA/NT)
|
|
Port Fairy/Koroit (VIC)
|
13
|
Port Fairy Surf Life Saving Club & Koroit Lions Club
|
|
Queenscliff (VIC)
|
4
|
Cottage By The Sea
|
|
Quorn (SA)
|
9
|
Royal Flying Doctors Service (SA/NT)
|
|
Thargomindah (QLD)
|
15
|
Drought Angels
|
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