Melbourne Cup takes in cities around the world as part of the Victoria Racing Club’s strategy to promote the Melbourne Cup and the Melbourne Cup Carnival internationally. The Tour has visited schools and aged-care and hospital facilities, and participated in community events and celebrations including race days across Australia and New Zealand. Frederick Standish, member of the Victorian Turf Club and steward on the day of the first Cup, was credited with forming the idea to hold a horse race and calling it the "Melbourne Cup". Seventeen horses contested the first Melbourne Cup on Thursday 7 November 1861, racing for the modest
Coongy Cup Coongy Cup The Coongy Cup, registered as the Coongy Handicap, is a Melbourne Racing Club Group 3 Thoroughbred horse race held under open handicap conditions, for horses aged three years old and upwards, over a distance of 2000 metres, held at Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia in October. Total prize money is A$150,000. The race is run on the third day of the MRC Spring Carnival (Caulfield Cup day). Prior to 1997 the race was run on the second day of the MRC Spring Carnival. During World War II the race was run at Flemington Racecourse. The race was run at