THE VICTORIAN RACING CARNIVAL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume V, Issue 44, 1 November 1890, Page 7

THE VICTORIAN RACING CARNIVAL.

SHERE is no out door sport that has such a hold on the people of Australasia as horse-racing. The great event of the whole year is the Melbourne Cup, and at this period everyone is more or less affected by the turf epidemic. It is a national holiday time in Victoria, and even the church-going portion of the Melbourne community recognise the fact, for they fix their great collection day (Hospital Sundav) for the ‘Cup week.’ The crowds of people from the adjoining colonies that pour into the great commercial city about the gala time is surprising. Somehow or other they all find it necessary to visit Melbourne on the second Tuesday in November, no matter what the season is like, or whether the times are good or bad. Of course they don’t care for racing. ‘ Have no inclination that way, my dear sir,’ so they tell ; ‘ but being present in the city, and my friend being fond of sport, he prevailed on me to come and see the Cup run.’ That is the sort of tale that is told. Onr illustration conveys a fair idea of the size of the course and the thronged state of the lawn in front of the principal stand on a Cup day. It is computed that so many as 150,000 people assemble on the course, and the behaviour of the vast multitude is the endless admiration of visitors, especially by those from the Old World. The arrangements for the public are perfection, and every convenience is provided. Quite a ‘ sight ’ is the lawn with its rich and luxuriant flower-beds and handsome fountains playing. Here the ladies display all the latest London and Paris fashions in dress, and the scene is one that ever lingers in the memory of those who have witnessed it. The fernery on the course surpasses many of the best to be seen in Australian Botanical Gardens. Flemington is three miles distant from the citv, and covers 316 acres. The race for tne Melbourne Cup was instituted in the year 1861 on very modest lines. The added money was 200 so vs., with a sweep of 20 so vs. each. Eighteen horses started, and the winner turned up in Mr E. De Mestre’s Archer, a five-year-old, who carried 9st 71b, and the following year Archer again won. In 1872 the added money of the race was increased to 300 sovs., and four years later it had risen to 500 so vs. In 1833, when the Auckland-bred colt Mar-tini-Henry appropriated the race, the added money was doubled to 1,000 sovs., and three years later saw the bonus go rnp 2,000 sovs., and each year since it has been raised. Last

year it was thought the pinnacle had been reached when 5,000 sovs. was given by the Club, but this year it has been eclipsed, for the added money is 10,000 sovs., added to a sweepstake of 50 sovs. each. The Melbourne Cup is now the richest handicap race in the world, anil the contest of 1890 is memorable on that account. Our illustration of the Grand Stand and the course convey an idea of some of the scenes to be witnessed at Flemington on Cup Day («<■« page 13), anil illustrate how the different grades of human nature take their pleasures on a race-course.