NEWCASTLE model and passionate racegoer Tegan Martin has been announced as the new face of the Melbourne Cup carnival.
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The 27-year-old glamour, who finished in the top 10 at the Miss Universe pageant in Miami in 2014, has cemented herself as a household name following appearances on some of Australia's most watched television shows including Network 10's I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! and multiple magazine covers.
And with Ms Martin planning a move to Melbourne ahead of this year's "race that stops the nation", the appointment couldn't be more timely.
The 27-year-old is a passionate racegoer and said she was delighted to have been named this year's Melbourne Cup Carnival ambassador.
"To be announced as this year's Melbourne Cup Carnival ambassador is an absolute dream come true," Ms Martin said.
"Nothing compares to a day at Flemington.
"Cup Week is my favourite time of the year and I'm really looking forward to being part of all the action and showing everyone how to get the most out of their day trackside."
Ms Martin's first official appearance will be at Flemington on Thursday for the highly anticipated Myer Spring Fashion Lunch, ahead of Sofitel Girls' Day Out on Saturday and Turnbull Stakes Day on October 5 as well as every day of the 2019 Melbourne Cup Carnival.
"It's hard to put into words what it is like to experience cup day at Flemington, other than it's something that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime," she said.
"From the moment you walk through the gates and see the roses in full bloom and the most breathtaking racetrack, to the social atmosphere throughout the day and the sheer excitement when the horses approach the starting gate."
Ms Martin credited her dad for instilling in her a love of horses from a young age.
"I have such fond memories of dad putting me on a horse for the first time when I was quite young," she said.
"I've had a soft spot for horses ever since.
"Every year when we were kids my dad would meet me and my brother at the school gate with the sweep from the newspaper and we'd race home to watch the Melbourne Cup together."
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