NEXT DESTINATION
Queenscliff, VIC
Tuesday 24 October
ABOUT THE DESTINATION
With links to the gold rush dating back to the 1800’s Ballarat is home to many Melbourne Cup winners. The current residence to the Maher-Eustace combination, trainers of last year's Melbourne Cup winner, Gold Trip, and the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, Michelle Payne.
Tuesday 17 October
What happened in Ballarat
The coveted trophy visited Ballarat with reining Lexus Melbourne Cup-winning trainer David Eustace accompanying the trophy on its journey. Eustace has a strong local connection to Ballarat which is home t0 the flagship stable of the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace team.
The People’s Cup began its tour of Ballarat on Tuesday morning at AJAY Equestrian, where staff and students gathered to learn about the history of the Lexus Melbourne Cup during a brief Q&A before having the once-in-a-life-time opportunity to get up close with this year’s trophy. Local legend and Prince of Penzance strapper Stevie Payne also took part in the action.
The Cup then made a special visit to Ballarat Turf Club for a Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour function. VRC Representative Joe McGrath hosted a racing panel with 2022 Cup-winning trainer David Eustace and dual Cup-winning trainer Robert Hickmott who shared their favourite Cup memories before locals were invited to get up close and experience the magic of the People’s Cup. Lexus Melbourne Cup winners Almandin and Prince of Penzance were also in attendance as part of the festivities.
Ballarat is a part of the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour National Sweep, which sees 24 rural and regional Cup Tour destinations across Australia allocated a barrier for the 2023 Lexus Melbourne Cup.
Back to Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour page