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BENDIGO people experienced the history of the Emirates Melbourne Cup on Monday.
The cup tour promotes the 2014 Melbourne Cup Carnival before it kicks off on the first Tuesday of November.
1976 Melbourne Cup winning jockey Bob Skelton was the event's ambassador.
Bendigo Returned and Services League house and finance committee chairman Rhys De Laine said hosting the cocktail party at the newly updated RSL building was a great opportunity.
He said the RSL committee was pleased to form a partnership with Bendigo Jockey Club.
"It is a benefit to link with (the club) as they are well-known in the community," he said.
Mr De Laine said Bendigo had a rich history with the jockey club.
"During the war there were soldiers embedded at the jockey club," he said.
"There is a long-standing history between the RSL and the jockey club.
"These links are a benefit for everyone because they bring events like this to the community."
Bendigo Jockey Club chief executive Ian Hart said the community was proud to be one of the 34 official destinations selected.
"We are delighted the cup came to Bendigo," he said.
"Our city has its own rich horse racing history.
"The visit gives our community a unique opportunity to view arguably the most famous trophy in Australian sport and discover the remarkable moments of the race."
The cup tour is an initiative of Victoria Racing Club.
Acting chief executive Julian Sullivan said the club was thrilled to take the cup to Bendigo.
"The cup holds historical, cultural and social significance," he said.
"We look forward to sharing some of the stories from the race's 153-year history with the people of Bendigo."
The cup has made its way across Australia, stopping in the Victorian towns of Stawell, Lorne, Geelong and Wodonga along with many other towns nation wide.