Town 'proud' to host Cup

IT'S ON: Wairarapa Racing Club treasurer Garrick Emms (right) gets to hear that Featherston's getting the Melbourne Cup, during the official announcement in Melbourne of the destination towns for the tour of the Melbourne Cup.

The Melbourne Cup is coming to Featherston. The actual cup, that is.

The $175,000 18-carat gold Emirates Melbourne Cup will visit Featherston next month as part of a three-and-a-half month tour leading up to Melbourne Cup Carnival in November.

For the New Zealand section, the cup will visit Wellington, Featherston, Whakatane, Auckland, New Plymouth, Wanganui, as part of a 34-site tour, says the Victoria Racing Club.

Simon Bird, from the Wairarapa Racing Club said the town was delighted to find out they will be hosting the Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour on July 26 this year, to coincide with their 150th Jubilee celebrations.

"The Emirates Melbourne Cup visit provides the opportunity for Featherston and surrounding communities to celebrate this proud icon of Australian history while drawing attention to local landmarks, including the historic Wairarapa Racing Club, which was formed in 1864," Mr Bird said.

"This is a great event for Featherston, and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Featherston's proud racing culture."

He said they used the 150th celebrations as a "main driver" to entice the cup their way, particularly since the Melbourne Cup and their club were a similar age.

They had originally hoped to have the cup for a race day in October, but with the July timetable, they decided to make it a community event.

"It will arrive formally at the race course, then it will go into Featherston on Saturday afternoon to Anzac Hall."

The day will be focused around families and kids, Mr Bird said, followed by a cocktail function in the evening.

On Sunday the club plans to take the cup to Martinborough.

The cup will be accompanied by Melbourne Cup veterans and racing legends who will share their personal stories with locals throughout the tour.