THE V.R.C. AND OTHER RACING CLUBS 21 



the benefit of boniface under the pretence of a day's horse racing. But now, 

 under the wise hands of the ruHng body, "sport" of that nature is severely 

 restricted, and the formation of District Associations, working under the 

 V.R.C. is doing immense good in improving the whole thing, and in seeing 

 to it that racing is carried on in the cleanest and fairest manner possible. There 

 are many excellent up-country gatherings throughout the State. Warrnambool, 

 with its annual Steeplechase, is splendid. Wangaratta and Benalla, where 

 they have raced since before the flood, both provide capital sport. Ballarat, 

 once second only in importance to metropolitan headquarters, is perhaps not 

 the force that it used to be in the old days when mining was flourishing, and 

 was one of the most prosperous industries in the country. But it is once more 

 on the up-grade, and is well managed. Bendigo has always maintained a high 

 standard. Camperdown is good, as is Colac, while Geelong, after suffering a 

 partial eclipse, is also again climbing the ladder. And in the metropolitan 

 area there are several clubs that have done, and are doing, a great deal for 

 the sport. The Victorian Amateur Turf Club is in the foremost rank, and is 

 only second to the V.R.C. in influence and importance. The Caulfield Cup 

 has been in existence since I 879, when two hundred sovereigns w^as the amount 

 of its prize-money. In 1920 this was represented by £6,500, and a gold cup 

 valued at £100. 



The V.A.T.C. was originally formed in 1876 by a number of 

 enthusiastic riders and owners, whose opportunities for amateur jockeyship 

 were too restricted for their vaulting ambitions. The promoters were the 

 Messrs. Hector, Norman and Arthur Wilson, J. O. Inglis, Herbert and Robert 

 Power, and others, and so well have their affairs prospered on that beautiful 

 course at Caulfield that the original object of the Club has been entirely lost 

 sight of long ago. It is a splendid institution. 



Then there is the seaside racecourse at Williamstown, w^hich has had a 

 long and creditable history. The course is a fine one, and is being improved 

 yearly and the annual Cup is now worth between two and three thousand 

 pounds. Moonee Valley is possibly the most popular of all the suburban 

 turf resorts. Its affairs are splendidly administered by Mr. A. V. Hiskins and 

 an influential Committee. It is so close to the General Post Office that anyone 

 now finds it an easy journey to the entrance gates. The course is a good one, 

 well kept, and the prizes are liberal throughout the year. The Committee is 

 entirely up-to-date, and this Club, like the V.A.T.C. and Williamstown, are 

 not only steadily increasing their prize-monies, but each and all of them gave 

 with ready and overflowing hands to the patriotic funds. There are other 

 and numerous — too numerous — courses within reach of the metropolis. 

 Epsom, situated close to Mordialloc, is also a club, and its affairs are ably 

 controlled, but Mentone, Aspendale and Sandown Park are of the nature of 

 proprietary concerns whose surplus funds revert to the pockets of the 

 promoters, and no doubt pay ample dividends. But with these, so far as the 

 actual history and welfare of the Racehorse in Australia is concerned, we have 

 nothing to do. 



