Dear Sir/Madam

At a meeting with Noel Power and Phillip Quay I was informed of their plans to have a high-quality Melbourne Cup event in Cambridge on the first Tuesday this November.

Having had previous Melbourne Cup-type functions, including the VRC Melbourne Cup tour, at Cambridge Stud I know there is a real demand and need for this type of function.

Cambridge, with its proud history in the race, is the ideal location for such an event to be held and, from what I have seen of the planned event, it will recognize the wonderful record of horses bred in the area in the Melbourne Cup.

I commend the organizers of this event and fully endorse this exciting concept on the basis that it is run in a truly professional manner and fosters community and provincial awareness of the Melbourne Cup.  I do believe that this event will encourage greater knowledge of the Melbourne Cup to people in New Zealand not only within the racing fraternity but just as importantly to the business sector.

I have also committed Melbourne Cup-related material which is currently at Cambridge Stud will be made available, where possible, to be on display at the Melbourne Cup day.

Good luck with this venture.

Yours sincerely,

Sir Patrick Hogan KNZM CBE