A week before the big race, the National Museum has had a victory, securing a historic Melbourne Cup at auction.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The museum purchased the 1867 Melbourne Cup and Queen's Plate Trophy - now known as the VRC Queen Victoria Stakes - at Sotheby's in Melbourne for a total of $720,000.
Both cups were won by the same horse, Tim Whiffler, and they had remained in the possession of Tim Whiffler's owners, the Royds family, until now.
Museum curator Stephen Munro said controversy had surrounded the London-made Melbourne Cup in 1867, with local jewellers signing a petition demanding the Victorian Race Club instead use a locally crafted trophy. No cup was awarded for the next eight years, perhaps as a result of that year's dispute.
The Queen's Plate Trophy was made by Melbourne man William Edwards in 1866, and Mr Munro said there was speculation that Mr Edwards might have intended it to serve as the Melbourne Cup instead.
The trophies are expected to arrive in Canberra on Monday.