Archer, a horse from New South Wales, won the first Melbourne Cup. How did he travel the 550 miles to get there?

sequoianoir

Given the date, he must have walked or trotted or cantered etc.... Unless he rode another horse of course ? Nov 04 03, 4:30 PM

shady shaker

In 1861 when this occurred, the colonial rail system had been in place for less than a decade. Locomotives were often unreliable. At the end of October that year the engine scheduled to haul the five car passenger train to the NSW-Victoria border at Albury broke down. At the same time Archer's connections were desperate to get him to Flemington for the big race. They heard via the bush telegraph about the dilemma with the train, and saw a way of getting their horse at least part of the way. The next morning, while the dew lay heavy on the ground, a one horsepower train pulled slowly out of Sydney's Central Station. That was on Saturday the 2nd of November. The race was set down for the following Thursday. Could this thing be done?? Luckily the passengers were few, and there was little freight. Archer struggled a little on the upslopes but got into a good old gallop on the downhill runs. Finally, on the Tuesday, Archer brought the train safely to a stop in Albury. That was at 3.15pm Daylight Saving Time. Forty eight hours to get to the start!! COULD this thing be done?? The connections had travelled on the train. Archer was shunted away from the carriages, given a hosing down and an apple for being such a good horse. Meanwhile, owner and trainer had decided that whilst Archer's chances of running the two miles hadn't been done any harm by the small matter of hauling the train from Sydney, they still wanted to be absolutely sure he'd be there or thereabouts at the finish. In addition, they wanted the jockey to feel as if he and the horse were as one being, united in their determination to get that sparkling new Cup on the owner's sideboard. Consequently, after a couple of hours rest, jockey and horse could be seen making their way southward. The Starter shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. He was wanting to get the field underway, but the Sydney "crack", Archer was n Nov 05 03, 1:26 AM

shady shaker

To finish that post - and remove it and this one IMMEDIATELY McG - I'm not the boss and can't do what I darn well please!! Archer arrived thirty seconds after the starter got the field away. But his superior conditioning and staying power saw him overtake other horses like they were standing still and the rest is history. So mochyn, that is how Archer got to the very first Melbourne Cup. We breed 'em tough down here!!! Nov 05 03, 1:42 AM

mochyn

yeh he pulled a train and walked 550 miles and pigs can fly!!!!!! ^_^ :) Nov 05 03, 1:53 AM

mochyn

It is often mentioned that he walked but a document showed a thoroughbred and an unknown man went by boat Nov 05 03, 2:07 PM

McGruff

I'm not sure what you want me to do. Repost your answer as you want it to appear and I'll delete the others. Nov 06 03, 2:30 AM

shady shaker

The legend is that Archer walked from Nowra on the New South Wales south coast to Flemington to run in the inaugural Melbourne cup. There appears to be no evidence to support this and the most likely scenario is that he travelled anonymously by boat. www.vrc.net.au and www.dinkumaussies.com have details on this and also on the 1876 Melbourne Cup. Hope this is helpful. Nov 06 03, 2:40 AM

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