The Magical Melbourne Cup Trivia Quiz

Answer: Handicap

The intention of a handicap race is to give every horse a chance to win. The handicapper does this by allocating a certain weight that each horse must carry during the race. This weight is in the form of ballast carried in the saddle-bags. The better the horse, the bigger the weight it carries. Older horses also carry a heavier load, compared to younger animals. Amongst winners of the Melbourne Cup carrying large weights, Carbine's dominance of the 1890 race, under a burden of 10 stone 5lb (or 65 kilos) was a stand-out effort.

In more recent times, Rising Fast carried 59.5 kilos to win in 1954, a kilo more than Think Big lumped around in his 1975 victory. Of horses who failed to pass the winning post first, Phar Lap's impost of 10 stone 10lb (70 kilos) in the 1931 cup, was a clear indicator of the handicapper's opinion of that super-horse.

Answer: 1861

Four thousand spectators saw seventeen hopefuls line up. Twilight jumped the gun, and completed the course before being caught. Tragically, Despatch and Medora fell, and were destroyed. Archer, a five year old bay horse, trained by Etienne de Mestre and ridden by John Cutts led the field home. By winning, he earned his owner 710 pounds and a hand-beaten gold watch.

The long-standing legend that Archer walked the 550 miles (880 kilometres) from his home at Nowra on the southern New South Wales Coast to the course has since been disproved by records which show he travelled by boat. What does the determination shown by De Mestre, and other trainers, to go to such lengths to get their horses to a race so far away indicate? Probably nothing more than the fact that they were attracted by prizes very rich at the time. One wonders if any dreamed of the tradition they were starting.

Answer: Victoria Racing Club (VRC)

The Victoria Racing Club was the result of a merger between the VTC and the VJC. The VTC had organised the first Cup, as well as those of 1862 and 1863. Both that club and the VJC then hit a wall.
Two clubs competing with each other at a time when fields were limited by a dearth of local racehorses, with the subsequent inability to offer financial incentives large enough to entice entries from places further apart, led to the decision to join forces.
Subsequently, the VRC was able to organise meets more frequently and of a higher standard. First seretary of the VRC was Mr. R.C. Bagot, whose name is perpetuated in the New Year's Day Bagot Handicap.

Answer: Phar Lap

A chestnut gelding, Phar Lap continues to be an icon in the eyes of Australasians. Foaled in the New Zealand town of Timaru in 1925, his dam was the New Zealander Entreaty; his sire the imported Great British stallion, Night Raid. Phar Lap won 37 of 51 starts - including the 1930 Melbourne Cup.

After racing unsuccessfully in the 1931 Cup, Phar Lap went to North America. There he amazed onlookers with a record win in the Agua Caliente Handicap in Mexico. Shortly afterward, tragedy struck. The horse had a colic attack and died.

There were suggestions that strapper Tommy Woodcock had accidentally overdosed Phar Lap with a substance known as Fowler's Solution, which would have induced the condition, but nothing was ever proved.

Answer: Mark Twain

Mark Twain attended the Cup in 1895, during a lecture tour of Australia. He makes further fascinating observations about the race in his travel book: "Following the Equator: A Journey Around the World."

Answer: The Barb

Sired by an early Australian stallion in Sir Hercules, The Barb was foaled in 1863 near Bathurst. Sometime later he was taken by bush- rangers, for whom thoroughbred horses were highly prized. Not all the horses they stole suited their needs. The Barb was reputedly something of a temperamental animal, and this may have been why he was recovered safe and in good condition at nearby Caloola.

Despite this dramatic episode and his questionable nature, The Barb ran on in the 1866 Cup, winning by a head from Exile, with Falcon third.

Answer: Sheila Laxon

Mrs. Laxon trained five year old bay mare Ethereal to its win in 2001. Welsh born, Mrs. Laxon resided on a farm in country Victoria. Her autobiography is titled "Winning Spirit". Coincidentally, her husband Laurie trained Empire Rose, winner of the 1988 Melbourne Cup.

Answer: Russia

Russia had run fifth in the 1945 Melbourne Cup, after being well backed. On this occasion, the six year old chestnut horse was not so popular, and started at the relatively generous odds of 16/1. Ridden by Darby Munro, he carried 57 kilos (9 stone 3lb) but trounced the opposition, beating On Target by five lengths, with Carey third.

Answer: 1866

In 1865, the holiday was limited to Melbourne bank employees and public servants. The following year authorities bowed to public pressure, and extended the holiday to include all Melbournians.

Answer: It was the first Cup broadcast on radio

Melbourne radio station 3LO broadcast the Cup. Those listening to the historic call heard race-caller, Eric Welch, describe the dramatic duel down the straight between Windbag and Manfred. Those who backed Windbag for the win were the ones left with smiles on their faces. The four year old bay horse passed the winning post half a length ahead of Manfred.

Answer: He was placed in last position for much of the race

Kiwi had not been raced in the month before the Cup. Trainer "Snowy" Lupton opting instead to prepare the horse by using him to muster sheep around his New Zealand property! During the race, Kiwi was still last at the 600 metres. But then jockey Jimmy Cassidy put his foot on the accelerator. He worked the giant red gelding through the field and the stayer won with relative ease.

Answer: The Fleming family owned the land where Flemington is located

Victoria's first official race meeting was held at Batman Hill (later the site of Swanston Street Railway Station) in 1838. Two years later, a three day event was held at a site on the banks of the Maribyrnong River called Saltwater Flat. Robert Fleming and his family owned and farmed the land where that 1840 meeting was held. The Fleming's gave racing authorities permission to conduct further horseracing on their property.

The area was named Fleming Town in their honour, later corrupted to "Flemington". "Flemington Race Course" had become generally accepted as the name of the track by about 1867. (Iam indebted to Mr. Harry Gates, Flemington historian, for his invaluable help in researching this question.)

Answer: Big Philou

Big Philou had won the 1969 Caulfield Cup on protest, and was considered a near certainty to achieve the Cups double. Consequently, bookmakers were holding massive amounts of money on him.
Later, the purgative drug Danthron was found responsible. Strapper Lesley Lewis was charged with administering the drug to Big Philou, and was acquitted. Thirty years later, he confessed to the crime.

Answer: Tending the horse's injured hoof

Carbine (or "Old Jack", as he was affectionately known) had suffered a split hoof in the 1889 race, where he finished second, and the injury continued to bother him. By his action, trainer Walter Hickinbotham demonstrated his concern for Carbine, abandoning any thought of joining the post-race festivities.

Answer: 1948

In the Cup of that year, Dark Marne at much shorter odds and 66/1 outsider Rimfire, battled for supremacy down the straight. He hit the line with nothing more than a nose between them. In a controversial decision, Rimfire prevailed despite Dark Marne on the rails appearing to edge out his rival right on the line.

The camera was later re-aligned. Although Rimfire was unfancied, those who chose runners based on bloodlines may have put an each way bet on him. His great-great grandfather was Carbine.

Answer: Sasanof

Sasanof, under trainer Murray Hobbs, ran third in the Caulfield Cup, usually a good pointer to the two mile classic. Notwithstanding, he was given only 6 stone 12 lb extra - or about 43 kilos. Odds of 12/1 suggested bookmakers saw him as an each way chance.

The crowd saw the New Zealander greet the judge in 1916 a good two-and-a-half lengths clear of 4/1 favourite Shepherd King, with St. Spasa third. Several horses born and bred in New Zealand had tasted success in the Melbourne Cup prior to Sasanof, Carbine being the stand out, but they had been trained in Australia. New Zealanders have traditionally done well at Flemington on the first Tuesday in November. Of 58 Cups run between 1946 and 2001, the Shaky Isles welcomed home 32 winners.

Answer: Dulcify

Dulcify started favourite. The incident was witnessed by David Hayes, young son of Dulcify's trainer Colin Hayes, and destined himself to become a prominent trainer. David Hayes described what happened as, "shattering for the whole family". Hyperno went on to win the race.

Answer: Roy Higgins

Higgins' equestrian connection was established at a very early age. His mother went into labour while riding on her husband's horse drawn cart! His two Cup successes were on Light Fingers in 1965 and Red Handed in 1967. A low point of his career was the late scratching of
Big Philou, the mount he was booked to ride in 1969.

Answer: Comedy KIng

Comedy King was imported from England as a foal with his dam, Tragedy Queen, by bookmaker/studmaster Sol Green. Comedy King proved very successful, winning many prominent races. The most prestigious of these was the 1910 Melbourne Cup, in which he edged out Trafalgar by half a head.

Answer: Piping Lane

Forty to one shot Piping Lane carried only 48 kilograms to beat the favourite, Magnifique, by two lengths. The gallant Gunsynd with his 60.5 kilo penalty made up the placings. Later that day, Ray Trinder, Tasmanian owner of Piping Lane, was seen outside Flemington, holding the Melbourne Cup in a paper bag, awaiting a taxi! Somehow, a similar tableau set against the background of other great horse races around the world is impossible to imagine.

Answer: Van Der Hum

The year 1976 was not one which the fashion conscious would remember fondly. Up until about an hour before start time, postponement was about an even money bet. The sky was leaden and light rain was falling. Horses which favoured heavy going were being very well backed.

The New Zealander Van Der Hum, a quality performer in such conditions, had the added advantage of starting from barrier 23 (There were 23 starters that year). Along that outside corridor he avoided the quagmire in the centre of the track, finishing ahead of Gold and Black and Kythera. Gold and Black went on to win the following year.

As an aside, the continued running of the Melbourne Cup through both World Wars along with other conflicts, was seen as vital in the fight to raise national morale, if only for a few minutes each year.

Answer: Tommy Woodcock Trophy

"Tommy" Woodcock (real given names Aaron Treve) holds a special place in Australian horse racing folklore as the strapper of Phar Lap. He had a long association with the Melbourne Cup extending to his training of Reckless, runner-up to Gold and Black in 1977. The trophy was first awarded in 2001. Tommy, who was "foaled" in 1905, died in 1985.

Answer: Shadow King

"As unlucky as Shadow King", was a phrase popular at the time of its inspiration's ill fortune. Shadow King's sire was Comic King, winner of the 1910 Cup, so the horse had the right breeding. The closest he came to etching his name on the Honour Roll of Melbourne Cup winners came in 1933, when a last minute lunge just failed to carry the day. Hallmark won by a nose.

Answer: Bart Cummings

First successful in 1965 with Light Fingers, Cummings repeated the achievement in 1966 with Galilee; 1967 with Red Handed; 1974 and 1975 with Think Big; Hyperno in 1979; 1990, Kingston Rule; 1991, Let's Elope, and Rogan Josh in 1999 - a total of eleven winners. Cummings' first official association with the Cup was in 1950, when he acted as strapper to the winning horse that year, Comic Court.

The trainer was Bart's father, Jim Cummings.

Answer: none

Vintage Crop's last start prior to his Melbourne appearance, was the Irish St. Leger, held at The Curragh in September that year, which he won. Trainer Dermot Weld stabled and trained Vintage Crop and stablemate Drum Taps at Melbourne's Sandown Racetrack. Neither horse contested a race prior to the Melbourne Cup. Weld's ploy would not have endeared him to the handicapper or to bookmakers.

They knew Vintage Crop was a quality performer overseas, but he was an unknown quantity on Australian tracks.

In the event, the horse carried 55.5 kilos (about 9 stone 2 lbs). Irish hoop Michael Kinnane easily piloted Vintage Crop past rank outsider Te Akau Nik to win by three lengths. Drum Taps finished ninth. Interestingly, of the minor place-getters, Te Akau Nik started at 160/1 and Mercator 125/1. With Vintage Crop sent out at odds of 14/1, any punter who fluked the trifecta would have been a very happy person.

The favourite, Our Pompeii finished in the second half of the field.