Charters Towers to host 2022 Lexus Melbourne Cup

Charters Towers has been announced as a host destination for the 2022 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour.

The Tour is scheduled to visit Charters Towers on the weekend of 3 & 4 September 2022.

Since 2003, the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour has provided rural, regional and metropolitan communities across Australia and New Zealand a chance to experience the magic of the Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy.

Councillor Kate Hastie, whose portfolio includes sport and recreation, said it will be fantastic to welcome the ‘People’s Cup’ back to our Region.

“It’s exciting that Charters Towers has been announced as a host for the 2022 Tour!  It’s extra special that we are hosting the Cup the year we celebrate 150 years since the declaration of the Goldfields,” said Cr Hastie.

As part of the Tour, the iconic trophy will be on display at the Charters Towers Charity Ball on Saturday, 3 September which is being held at the recently refurbished Charters Towers Racecourse.

Towers Jockey Club, who were recipients of a grant that has facilitated the Racecourse upgrades, are extremely excited that the Cup will be at the Racecourse.

“To have this iconic piece of horse racing history at the Charters Towers Racecourse will be truly amazing,” said Sally Kirkwood, Towers Jockey Club Secretary.

A spokesperson for the Charity Ball said that plans are well underway for this year’s Ball and to have the Melbourne Cup there will add another highlight to the evening’s theme of ‘all that glitters is gold’

To further celebrate the Cup Tour, Council is also planning a Community Day on Sunday, 4 September, to provide everyone the opportunity to get up close and have a photo taken with the $275,000 18 carat gold trophy.