Runners in this year's 150th Melbourne Cup will vie for a gold trophy that returns to the design of the illustrious 1930 Cup won by the legendary Phar Lap.
The new trophy has been crafted by Hardy Brothers Jewellers from 18ct gold and is valued at $A150,000. It weighs 4kg.
The official launch of 150th Melbourne Cup celebrations saw Mark De Mestre, grandson of the first Melbourne Cup winning trainer Etienne De Mestre, hand over the trophy to Victoria Racing Club chairman Rod Fitzroy.
The race will offer record prize money of $A6 million this year. It is run on the first Tuesday in November at Flemington.