Melbourne Cup Tour 2008

 

 

We are pleased to offer an itinerary to the AAMI Victoria Derby & Emirates Melbourne Cup to include three days in Sydney incorporating a visit to Coolmore’s Australian Stud.

 

The popularity of Australia’s premier race is now Internationally accepted with British and Irish entries commonplace and, as introduced a few years ago, winners of the Doncaster Cup and Irish St. Leger will be guaranteed a run in the Emirates Melbourne Cup. You will enjoy the finest facilities and reserved seats at Flemington racecourse, home of the Victoria Racing Club, for the race that brings Australia to a standstill on the first Tuesday of every November. To say nothing of another enthralling day of high quality racing on the preceding Saturday for the running of the Victoria Derby.

 

You will enjoy the finest reserved seating in the Members Grandstand, which opened for the first time in 2000. Overlooking the final stretch and the winning post, this multi-storied stand contains bars, eating establishments, countless Tote windows, video screens and Bookmaking boards, all of which are situated behind the vast reserved seating areas which command unrivalled views of the Flemington Racecourse!

 

 

Victoria Derby Day: known as one of the world’s great race-days with highclass fashion and fabulous horseracing. The Victoria Derby is the preeminent day on the Australian racing calendar as all nine events are Group Races, to include five Group 1! The feature race itself – the AAMI Victoria Derby – has long been acknowledged as the premier race for three-year olds; most of which have never raced over the distance of 2,500 metres, with prize money of $1,500,000. In 2007 Kibbutz gave jockey Craig Williams his first Victoria Derby win. The New Zealand bred colt was too strong for the second placed Littorio, with Marching finishing in third.

 

The Melbourne Cup:

The Race ‘That Stops the Nation’ - The Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington Park creates a party atmosphere unparalleled by any other sporting event. The Emirates Melbourne Cup is much more than a gruelling 3,200m (2 miles) handicap race, it is a celebration of the Sport of Kings. In 2007 Purple Moon trained by Luca Cumani sought to be the first British horse to win the Melbourne Cup. Having lead into the final furlong, he looked to be the winner, but lost the race to Efficient in the final strides. The Australian trained winner, was the first horse since Phar Lap to win the Victoria Derby and to follow up a year later with a victory in the Melbourne Cup.

 

SYDNEY

 

Australia’s oldest city is without doubt the place to be! Sydney offers an endless array of sightseeing opportunities including the world famous Opera House and Harbour Bridge together with fantastic beaches, galleries, boutiques and outdoor cafés. While we are in Sydney we are proud to be able to offer you a private visit to Coolmore’s Stud Farm in the Hunter Valley, where they have the following stallions on their roster: Antonius Pius, Aussie Rules, Choisir, Dehere, Encosta de Lago, Rock of Gibraltar, Royal Academy, Fastnet Rock, Fusaichi Pegasus, Oratorio, Spinning World, Stravinsky and Holy Roman Emperor. Optional excursions in Sydney will include a Harbour cruise, an evening at the Opera, or an opportunity to venture inland to vast reaches of the stunning Blue Mountains and the wineries of the world renowned Hunter Valley.

MELBOURNE

Melbourne is a stylish city that has, over the years, become a true melting pot of different cultures. Well known for the good things in life, it has a cosmopolitan feel offering chic designer shops, stately architecture, bustling markets and quaint rattling trams. You will certainly be spoilt for choice when planning your days in Melbourne, as there is no shortage of exciting activities and breathtaking views!

 

Tour Includes:

 

• Qantas flights between Sydney & Melbourne

• 4 nights at the Shangri-La Sydney Hotel in superb Deluxe Harbour View rooms on room only basis.

• 5 nights at the Hotel Sofitel Melbourne on room only basis.

• Reserved seating in the Members Grandstand at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, on both Victoria Derby Day and Melbourne Cup Day.

- Visit to Coolmore Australia

• Assistance of our Representative throughout.

• Transfers by air-conditioned coaches throughout.

• All Airport Passenger Duty & Taxes.

• Baggage handling throughout.

 

Itinerary

Monday 27 October

Sydney - arrive a.m.

On arrival, transfer to the Shangri-La Sydney Hotel where accommodation has been reserved for 4 nights on a room only basis in Harbour View rooms. The rest of the day is at your leisure to enjoy your surroundings.

Tuesday 28 October & Wednesday 29 October

Optional excursions or days at leisure to enjoy Sydney.

Thursday 30 October

Visit to Coolmore’s Australian Stud.

Friday 31 October

Depart the Shangri-La Hotel for your internal flight to Melbourne.

Depart	Flight No.	Time
Sydney	QF435	13.00 hrs
Melbourne - arrive		14.30 hrs

On arrival, transfer to the Sofitel Melbourne Hotel where accommodation has been reserved for 5 nights on a room only basis.

Saturday 01 November

Racing at Flemington: Victoria Derby Day!

Sunday 02 November & Monday 03 November

Days at leisure to enjoy the delights of Melbourne.

Tuesday 04 November

Racing at Flemington: Melbourne Cup Day!

Wednesday 05 November

Following check-out, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

 

Shangri-La Hotel This recently refurbished 5* property, with 563 guest rooms, is perfectly positioned between the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge at Circular Quay and is where you can enjoy the quite essential Sydney experience in comfort and style. The hotel is in the historic Rocks district; the birthplace of colonial Sydney; an area that offers wonderful shopping, a wide variety of restaurants and is within walking distance of all the necessary tourist attractions. We have secured Deluxe Grand Harbour View rooms that are spacious and offer stunning 180-degree panoramic views of Sydney Harbour. Each room has a marble en-suite bathroom, satellite TV, Internet access, safe, minibar, hairdryer & tea/coffee making facilities. The hotel offers a variety of dining and has one of the best cocktail bars in Sydney, Blu Horizons, located on the 36th floor with superb views. Other hotel facilities include a 15m Roman style indoor heated swimming pool, fitness centre, steam room and spa. The perfect place to unwind and refresh! • Accommodation is on a room only basis

The Sofitel Melbourne This luxury hotel is situated in the heart of the city’s premier shopping, dining and theatre district, just minutes from the famous cricket ground. The Café La offers fine dining while Sofi’s Piano Bar offers both food and live jazz on Friday and Saturday nights. The Atrium Bar on 35 serves cocktails and light snacks in a relaxed atmosphere. The hotel has 363 luxuriously appointed guestrooms which start from floor 36, ensuring the view over Melbourne from floor to ceiling windows is always spectacular. All rooms have contemporary furnishings, marble bathrooms and modern technology including LCD or Plasma TVs, digital surround sound, CD/DVD players, high speed Internet access and voicemail. The hotel facilities also include a gym, fitness centre and sauna. • Accommodation is on a room only basis