Dear Players and Teams,

Please find enclosed a nomination and stable booking form for this year’s Stella Artois Melbourne Cup Polo Tournament to be held at Werribee Park Equestrian Centre from Friday, 28th October until Sunday, 6th November 2011.

The first of our major tournaments for the season, the Stella Artois Melbourne Cup is poised to set the season alight with strong interest already on the team and corporate hospitality fronts.

Off field, there will be plenty to be take part in. As part of this year’s tournament the Club will be hosting:
• Melbourne Cup Cocktail Party & Season Launch - Friday 28th October (evening)
• Melbourne Cup Teams Dinner hosted by the President and committee of the Victorian Polo Club
• In addition, as usual, we can assist you with organisation of any other leisure activities whilst you are in Victoria for the tournament. From packages to the Races, rounds of golf and more. The VPC aims to make your time during this tournament as enjoyable as possible both on and off the field, so don’t hesitate to contact us if we can be of assistance.

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Handicaps
• The maximum handicap per team is 14 goals.
• The minimum handicap per team is 12 goals.
• Any minus rated player wishing to participate in the tournament must have the approval of the Tournament Committee as to their safety, and assume a handicap of 0 goals.
• The only exception to this rule will be any patrons with a handicap of -2, who must assume a handicap of
-1, or players at the discretion of the committee.
• All players will play off their current Australian Handicap.
• In the event they don’t have a current Australian handicap they will play off their highest world handicap.
• In determining a player’s highest world handicap, it will be the higher of any current International handicap, and any endorsed change in handicap.
• For the purposes of The Melbourne Cup tournament, an endorsed change in handicap is where the official handicapping body of a recognised polo playing country have met prior to the 20th of September 2011, and determined a handicap change. This rule applies regardless of when the change in handicap is officially due to take effect.
• No team will be accepted into the tournament if the handicap aggregate of the team exceeds 14 goals on the criteria outlined in Clauses I, II and III.

Tournament Committee
• The committee for this year’s event will be Mr Gillon McLachlan (Chairman), Mr Paul Roberts and Mrs Amber Gibbs.
• The draw will be determined once all team nominations have been received. Preference to play on the first Sunday will be given to the first nominations received. The Tournament Committee reserves the
right to limit the number of teams.
• All players who have not been playing regularly in Australia in the preceding months are subject to the scrutiny of the handicappers and may be handicapped at any time. In all other circumstances the Australian Polo Council Rules will apply. The committee reserves the right to vary the APC rules after consultation with team captains.

Nomination Fee
The nomination fee is $4,000.00 (plus GST) per team.

Insurance
It is important to note that the VPA does not have personal accident insurance in their policy and all players must make their own arrangements in this respect.

Hospitality
As has been the case in previous years, both Sundays of the tournament will be played on the Chirnside ground and have additional entertainment. Each team will receive one car park and 10 guest passes. For additional ticketing and hospitality requirements, please contact Focal Promotions, our Corporate Hospitality Partner, on 03
9585 8330.

Accommodation
Luxury accommodation is available at the Mansion Hotel, next to the polo fields. Other accommodation is available in Werribee.

NOTE: Nominations close on Thursday 30th September 2011.
Please email or post the nomination form and stable/yard request form together with the nomination fee addressed to the VPC at Level 4, 543-549 Bridge Road, Richmond, Vic, 3121.

Email Fiona Welsh at fwelsh@elitesports.com.au no later than the closing date.

For all other enquiries please contact Fiona Welsh on phone 03 9421 3000, fax 03 9421 3300 or email fwelsh@elitesports.com.au or Paul Roberts 0417571988.

All stables will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. Accordingly, any teams wishing to secure these
stables can fax their requests to the VPC office in advance but priority will be given to the first to pay given the stable number is finite.

We look forward to welcoming you to an extremely enjoyable tournament.

Yours sincerely,

Gillon McLachlan
VPC President

NOMINATION FORM
STELLA ARTOIS MELBOURNE CUP

Players names Handicap No of ponies
1. ……………………………………………… …………. …………….
2. ……………………………………………… …………. …………….
3. ……………………………………………… …………. …………….
4. ……………………………………………… …………. …………….
Team Name
Team colours
Team captain
Contact name
Address
Postcode
Telephone
Mobile
Fax
PLEASE NOTE: NOMINATIONS CLOSE THURSDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER 2011
Players must confirm current insurance from their Interstate Associations, or personal insurance policy.
STABLE / YARD REQUEST FORM
TEAM NAME:
NUMBER OF STABLES:
NUMBER OF YARDS:
NUMBER OF COVERS:
INVOICE MADE TO:
ADDRESS:
EMAIL:
FAX:
Please note the following requirements of WPNEC:
Yards are provided for each team. Stables are in short supply and cost $30 per night per stable for the first 3 nights and then $130 per stable from nights 4 to 7.
Stables are to be paid when booked. Those paying their nominations first shall be given preference to stables.
Stable uses will be charged if the stables are not left in the same state as they were presented, therefore anyone leaving stables with bedding, manure any other debris after completion of the tournament shall incur a financial penalty of $50.00 per stable.
Those who pre-book stables can have them cleaned for a fee of $20 per stable.
Covers are also able to be hired for yards, please indicate if you require them and if so, how many. Prices on application, all stable
queries should go directly to Jackie Woodhead from WPNEC via phone, 0400 917 037 or email, ceo@equestrianvictoria.com.au
APPLICANT NAME:
APPLICANT SIGNATURE: