The public event will mark the final stop on the 2022 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. This year marks 20 years of the Tour, which has travelled more than 750,000 kilometres across the world and delighted thousands of people along the way.
The event is also an opportunity to celebrate past champions of the race as well as a look ahead to the $8 million Lexus Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Tuesday 1 November.
From noon on Monday 31 October, connections of the 24 runners in the Lexus Melbourne Cup, including some of racing’s most notable jockeys and trainers, will make their way across Princes Bridge to Federation Square.
Joining the procession will be VRC Chairman Neil Wilson, Lord Mayor Sally Capp and a quartet of retired Cup champions who now call Living Legends home in Brew (2000), Efficient (2007), Almandin (2016) and Twilight Payment (2020).
Federation Square will come alive from noon with a taste of Cup Week including a live performance from Hot Dub Time Machine, photo opportunities with the 2022 Lexus Melbourne Cup, roving entertainment, children’s activities and a sample of Flemington’s famous chicken sandwiches.
The Federation Square stage will host the all-important Lexus Melbourne Cup press conference led by Network 10’s racing expert Michael Felgate, where media and racing fans will get the last word on Cup hopes from Australia’s leading jockeys and trainers.
Minister for Racing The Hon Anthony Carbines will attend the Federation Square event ahead of the biggest week in world racing at Flemington.
VRC Chairman Neil Wilson said the club was delighted to be bringing the People’s Cup home to Melbourne’s CBD as its final stop before being awarded to the winner of the Lexus Melbourne Cup on Tuesday 1 November.
“After two years without a Lexus Melbourne Cup Parade and a revised route across Princes Bridge to Federation Square, we are pleased to share the magic of the Cup with the people of Melbourne a day before Australia’s best-known race,” Mr Wilson said.
“The parade began as a cavalcade of champions in 1983 and for nearly four decades people from here and abroad have lined the streets of Melbourne to connect with the Cup. This year we are delighted to recommence this important tradition as the Lexus Melbourne Cup, homeward bound arrives into Melbourne.
“The Lexus Melbourne Cup holds strong sentimental value to many Australians but beyond that, it is a significant economic driver for the Victorian economy and we are glad to work with the City of Melbourne and Federation Square to showcase Melbourne and the Cup in the heart of the CBD.
“The Federation Square live site is a free, family-friendly event with giveaways, photo opportunities, a chance to meet racing’s heroes and the current stars of the sport so it is a great opportunity for people to come into the city and celebrate the race that stops a nation.”
The 2022 Melbourne Cup Carnival commences with Penfolds Victoria Derby Day on Saturday 29 October, followed by Lexus Melbourne Cup Day Tuesday 1 November, Kennedy Oaks Day on Thursday 3 November and TAB Champions Stakes Day on Saturday 5 November.
Melbourne Cup Carnival tickets can be purchased via www.vrc.com.au.
All the action from the 2022 Melbourne Cup Carnival can be seen free to air on Network 10.
