Melbourne Cup winning horse Prince of Penzance has joined Sydney commuters in Martin Place as organisers take the famous trophy on a tour of the country ahead of the 2017 spring racing carnival.

Officials on Tuesday announced this year’s Melbourne Cup will be shown live for the first time on a big screen at Sydney’s waterfront precinct Barangaroo.

TV presenter Rachael Finch and Flemington ambassador Georgia Connolly took to horseback in the pedestrian mall while dual Melbourne Cup winning jockey John Letts was on foot as the iconic trophy was shown to the small crowd.

Prince of Penzance won the Cup in 2015 when Michelle Payne became the first female jockey to win the race.