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For the first time in its 17 year history, this year's Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour will be a combination of physical and virtual visits to communities across Australia.

The People's Cup will visit 27 destinations as part of this year's exclusively domestic schedule.

The coveted $200,000 trophy will virtually visit towns across our nation including the fire-affected towns of Marlo, Buchan and Mallacoota in Victoria, Kangaroo Island in South Australia, Casino in New South Wales and La Trobe in Tasmania.  The trophy will also visit the hospice of the VRC's 2020 Melbourne Cup Carnival Pin and Win partner Very Special Kids in Bendigo, Victoria.

The tour will also visit the owners of the reigning Lexus Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare in Gympie in rural Queensland.

From there, it's on to Katherine in the Northern Territory to revisit the Everett family in continued support of Dolly's Dream.

The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) last visited the Everett family on tour in 2018, sharing the People's Cup with the community and raising funds for Dolly's Dream, an anti-bullying organisation the Everett's established in memory of their daughter Amy 'Dolly' Everett.

The VRC hopes to conduct Victorian visits in October in person, restrictions permitting.

The Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour National Sweep will return for a second year, with 24 rural and regional destinations to be allocated a barrier for the 2020 Lexus Melbourne Cup.

The town that draws the barrier of the Lexus Melbourne Cup-winning horse will be presented with a cash prize of $50,000 to put towards a charity for a local community initiative.

Bunyip in regional Victoria took home the $50,000 donation last year and put the money towards several community initiatives including assisting with the rebuild of community facilities following the Bunyip State Park fires in March 2019.

VRC Chairman Amanda Elliott said it was more important than ever to share the magic of the iconic trophy with Australians.

"This year has been exceptionally challenging for all Australians.  Devastating drought and catastrophic bushfires, as well as a global pandemic have contributed to a sense of isolation, uncertainty and in many cases financial hardship.  This has amplified the importance of community and connectedness," Mrs Elliott said.

"In the year of the 160th running of our great race, we are looking forward to connecting with people in a very modern way.  To be able to share stories, celebrate favourite moments, whilst raising much needed funds for a large range of worthy causes."

As the Principal Partner of the VRC, Lexus Australia Chief Executive Scott Thompson said Lexus is honoured to be supporting this year's Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour.

"Lexus is looking forward to entering its third year as naming rights sponsor of the Lexus Melbourne Cup, and the 18th year of our relationship with the VRC," Mr Thompson said.

"In what has been an incredibly challenging year for our nation, the Lexus Melbourne Cup is the People's Cup and we look forward to playing our part in sharing the iconic trophy with Australians across the nation and supporting fundraising efforts to assist towns big and small to get back on their feet."

The Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour will officially kick off on Friday 4 September when it visits Moree in New South Wales and dials in to a number of events organised by Moree Race Club.

Since its beginning, the Tour has travelled more than 700,000 kilometres and visited more than 500 regional, rural and metropolitan destinations. It has provided communities with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the magic of the Lexus Melbourne Cup and hear the many stories connected with Australia's greatest horse-race.

2020 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour Destinations:

Victoria – Melbourne, Nillumbik, Geelong, Donald, Birchip, Marlo, Buchan, Mallacoota, Grampians Region, Horsham, Kyabram, Murrindindi/Mansfield Region, Fosterville, Bendigo

New South Wales – Sydney, Moree, Casino and Moruya/Bateman's Bay, Malua Bay

Queensland – Brisbane, Gympie, Sunshine Coast and Mareeba

Northern Territory – Katherine

Western Australia – Busselton

South Australia – Kangaroo Island

Tasmania – Latrobe

2020 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour Itinerary