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CAULFIELD RACECOURSE |  |
| Records show that racing first took place at
Caulfield, known locally as The Heath, in April 1859, although it is unclear whether this
was under the direction of Caulfield Amateur Club or Race Club. What is known is that the
Club did suffer financially in its early years and were approached by the Victorian
Amateur Turf Club in 1875 to use the Caulfield track. The club was formed on 13th October
1875 with the express purpose of promoting race riding opportunities for local amateur
riders. The first such meeting was held in 1876 and by April 1879 the first Caulfield Cup, initially run over 12 furlongs, was run. In 1885 one of the saddest incidents in Australian racing took place in the Caulfield Cup. There was a massive field of 41 runners and in the early part of the race Sardius and Too Too went for the same gap and collided with each other. A domino effect affected 16 of the runners and jockey Donald Nicholson was killed in the resulting meelee. Almost incidentally the winner was Grace Darling. |
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In 1940 racing was suspended at the course, due to World
War II hostilities, and the course was used by the military. However, it reopened on 5th
August 1944.
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| The first Caulfield Cup was run in 1879 and
won by Newminster. The latest running, in 2008, was won by All The Good.
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The course hosts no less than 11 Group One races and, as
well as the Caulfield Cup run in October over 2400 metres, it also hosts the 1000 Guineas
in the same month when run over 1600 metres.
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| If you have badges, racecards, pictures of the racecourse or further details about the course, including your memories, then email johnslusar@fsmail.net | ||