After shining in Shanghai, a trek through Tokyo and visits throughout Australia, the 2019 Melbourne Cup has bucked into Ballarat.
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Mighty clydesdales with hearts as big as Phar Lap pulled a cart through the streets of Sovereign Hill on Wednesday exhibiting the 18-karat jewel in Melbourne's Spring Racing Carnival crown.
In 2019 the Victorian Racing Club is holding its own cup sweep.
Barrier numbers will be drawn at random by various regional towns, with the winner given $50,000 to put towards charity.
The Ballarat Foundation plucked gate 15 in the sweep ahead of the official barrier draw on November 2.
Ballarat has had a strong connection with the Cup since Michelle Payne raised it aloft after her 2015 victory.
Ahead of the race in 2019, the Ballarat connection comes in the way of Southern France, a European stayer partly owned by the Ballarat-based Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock.
"Visiting towns like Ballarat is a great way to engage communities," tour manager and keeper of the cup Joe McGrath said.
