The Melbourne Cup

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXIV, Issue 129, 5 November 1930, Page 8

The Melbourne Cup

ESTABLISHED IN 1861.

NOW WORTH OVER £lO,OOO.

The Melbourne Cup which was won by the New Zealand gelding Thar Lap, in a convincing fashion yesterday, was established in 1861. The increase in the value of the prize was gradual until! the added money reached £lO,OOO for the first time in 1890. In spite of the comparatively small stake attached to the early Cups the race caught the fancy of owners and the public. It became a great betting event, and that no doubt had much to do in establishing the race in popular favour. In the early days the betting began at a much earlier stage than it docs now, and as soon as one Melbourne Cup was over betting began on the next. Before the Caulfield Cup came into existence there, was much betting on the Derby and Melbourne Cup

double, and it frequently happened that the Maribyrnong Plate winner was coupled with conspicuous Melbourne Cup horses for the Derby and Cup of the following year. In. those days betting was on a much heavier scale than to-day. • The popularity of the Melbourne Cup, apart from its betting interest, was largely due to the late Air. Byron Moore. Flemington was his hobby, and while the members of the V.R.C. committee attended to the management of the racing he concentrated on the social side of the sport. His idea was to make the Melbourne Cup meeting as great a. social function as the Ascot and Goodwood meetings in England. He beautified Flemington, and, having provided the necessary setting. Oaks Day became a great fashion parade, with racing as a side line.- Mr Byron Moore made, the fame of Flemington world-wide.