Archer's Melbourne Cup

by Vashti Farrer

  When we reach the course I can’t believe how big it is. After Jembaicumbene, it’s huge. A flat stretch of land so vast you can’t even make out the far side rails. Mr de Mestre told us last night it used to be an old sandy track, then Mr Deas Thomson, the Colonial Secretary and a racing man himself, persuaded other racing men and the public to raise £4000 for it. Now it’s 202 acres and as good a course as any you’ll find in the colonies.

  And it wasn’t just the size of the course that was a shock—there were all these people! I’ve never seen so many in one place and all of them dressed fancy. Ladies in crinolines and flounces, with little parasols up for shade. (It’s quite a bit warmer here than when we left Terara.) Young girls, their hair in rag-curl ringlets like Ma does for our girls. I wish Ma and Hetty could see all the dresses. I won’t know where to begin if they ask me about them.

  I was with Barney, still staring at the crowd, when Mr de Mestre found us and he didn’t seem too pleased. ‘You’re like two shirts and a rag,’ he said looking at us standing next to him and all the toffs. We must have seemed scruffy, but mine was my only spare shirt. My other was for mucking out. It was the same for Barney. Nothing stays clean round stables. Anyway, Mr de Mestre said it couldn’t be helped and hopefully no-one would notice us beside the horses.

  They were both looking their best. I’d groomed Archer’s mane and tail to brush out all the knots like Tom does and Barney had Inheritor looking as good. Archy was running in the Australian Plate—two and a half miles. Inheritor was in the Metropolitan Maiden Plate, over one and three-quarters. Cutts was to ride both.

  Mr de Mestre told him how he wanted Archy ridden and we gave him a leg-up. I whispered to Archy that I’d like him to win. For me. Then I slapped his hindquarter and watched Cutts ride off to the start. My stomach was a-churn with moths, as I waited for the flag to drop. Having to watch someone else ride Archy was worse than being on him, knowing that he’d come nowhere in his last start at Randwick.

  No sooner had they started than the crowd was yelling and I couldn’t bear to look. I closed my eyes but in my head I was saying, ‘Go Archy go!’ as I tried to imagine Cutts riding him.

  It was all so fast. One minute my eyes were closed; the next Mr de Mestre was thumping the rail, shouting, ‘Well done! Splendid!’ and I knew he’d won. Then I decided that Johnny Cutts wasn’t so bad after all.

  But it was Barney who really got on my wick. He kept saying, ‘Did you see the way he rode him? He took off, but real steady. Had him right where he wanted. Didn’t let him go too soon. Held him back just a bit more and then found the gap he wanted and went for it. That’s the kind of jockey I want to be.’

  At that moment I didn’t particularly like Barney.

  Next it was Inheritor’s turn. Barney legged Cutts up again and this time I did watch. He got away well, held it for almost all the way, then started to lose ground towards the end to come second. Barney wasn’t too happy.

  We let the horses cool down a bit before walking them back to the Parramatta road. Then it was a sponge, a rub-down and a good feed for them. When we’d finished, I gave Archy a hug and told him how proud I was that he’d won at Randwick.

  Friday 3rd May

  Archy had today off, but I still had to help Barney get Inheritor and Exeter to the course. I sponged my shirt last night, but it didn’t look much better. Johnny Cutts rode both of them again, but Inheritor was unplaced in the Innkeeper’s Purse, that was twice round the course. Exeter surprised us, though. He came third in the First Biannual, over one mile.

  Won’t Tom be pleased when he hears!

  It’s dark now and the horses are bedded down for the night. I think they enjoy the change of scenery, walking to and from the course. They seem to sense it’s much bigger than Jembaicumbene and more important, so they’re on their best behaviour.

  Archer races again tomorrow.

  Saturday 4th May

  I had to be up early to get Archy ready. Inheritor’s got a rest day, but Archy and Exeter are both racing.

  Exeter was in the Champagne Stakes over five furlongs. It’s a better distance for him and one he’s used to. Archer was running in the AJC Randwick Plate. At one and a half miles, it was going to be easy for him. Johnny Cutts was there to meet us and this time I even managed a grin. Archy doesn’t seem to mind him and as long as he knows I’m his regular rider, that’s all right.

  Johnny won on both horses, so Mr de Mestre was in a good mood and didn’t seem to notice how Barney and me looked.

  No racing tomorrow. We leave on Monday.

  Monday 6th May

  We walked the horses back to Sydney Cove to catch the steamer home. On the way Mr de Mestre told us how pleased he is with us and that he’s decided to take both of us to Melbourne! We almost didn’t believe him. He isn’t taking the older strappers even though they’ve been there longer—he’s taking us! Then, when he sees us jigging around, he says we’re not to think it’s a holiday. We’ll be working hard mostly. We tell him we don’t mind a bit. Tom’s going with us too, so that means George Donnelly will be in charge of the stables.

  Then Mr de Mestre said he’s concerned there’s a new rule. Horses winning in other colonies have to carry seven pounds extra lead when they race in Melbourne. None of our horses are known there, but the more races Archer wins, the more word will spread.

  So Mr de Mestre wants to keep quiet about how well the horses are doing, for as long as he can. That’s why he has them race on different courses all round the colony. So it’s harder for people to keep track of them.

  As soon as we get back to Terara he wants Barney and Tom to go down to a meeting in Braidwood from the 14th to the 16th of May, with Inheritor and maybe Moss Rose. Then in early June he wants me to go with him to Maitland for a match race: Archer against Veno.

  Sometimes more than one racehorse can have the same name, so I ask him if that’s the Veno that won in Melbourne that had the dance named after him and Mr de Mestre says, ‘The very same.’ So I’ll get to see both of them race.

  Tuesday 7th May

  I’m back at Terara but so ashamed. I couldn’t write up my diary last night, because coming down the coast I was seasick! I took to my hammock and groaned most of the way. Mr de Mestre and Barney had to look after the horses without me. I was too crook.

  We cast off all right and everything seemed fine at first. Then I started to feel really wobbly and giddy. The throbbing screws didn’t help either; or the smell of engine oil. Then come a roll, followed by a bigger one, then a third. My head and cheeks were hot, the back of my neck was clammy and Mr de Mestre said I looked white. He told me to hold onto something and not to look down. So I gripped the ship’s rail, but I was still very shaky.

  During the night it was a bit smoother, but I was glad when we came to the wharf and walked the horses off at Greenwell Point. I felt a bit funny walking them home and Mr de Mestre made me go to my hammock to get some more sleep. Now I’m worried that he might change his mind and not take me to Melbourne after all.

  Wednesday 8th May

  I waited all day for Mr de Mestre to tell Tom I won’t be going. Then at inspection he said not to worry, these things happen and if I was prepared to risk being seasick again, I could still go. Of course I said yes. Then he said we’re booked on the City of Sydney that leaves on the 18th of September. He’ll travel with the jockeys—Johnny Cutts, who’ll ride Archer in the Cup, and McCabe. He’s been engaged for Inheritor. Since Exeter’s not running in the Cup, he won’t have his own jockey, but in other races, Cutts will ride him, too.

  After he’d gone, Tom said Mr de Mestre and the jockeys would be travelling First Class but when I asked how we’d be going, he said, ‘Straw Class, of course.’

  I asked what that meant and he said, ‘Below decks with the horses.’

  Barney groaned, but Tom said it’s no different from sleeping in the loft above them and anyway it’s our job to look after them and see that no harm comes to them, not to go swanning about o
n deck. Straw Class it is, then.

  Thursday 9th May

  Tom and Barney left with the horses for Braidwood today. They’ll be away nearly a fortnight and Barney won’t have to worry what he’s wearing down there. No-one notices in the country. He’ll just look like a bushy without a hat.

  Saturday 11th May

  I’ve finished David Copperfield and, because Barney isn’t around for a game of horseshoes, I’ve been teaching Archy some tricks. When I say, ‘Give us a kiss,’ he bends down and nibbles my cheek. And he can almost pull a handkerchief out of my pocket.

  So far I have to pull it out part way to show him, then get him to hold it in his teeth for a bit, while I pat his nose and say, ‘Good boy!’ But I think he’s getting the idea. I didn’t tell Tom or Barney before they left, because I want it to be a surprise when they get back. With any luck he’ll pull Tom’s handkerchief out of his pocket, and give us a good laugh.

  Monday 13th May

  Archy tries so hard. He holds the handkerchief in his teeth now, then shakes his head and waves it about, but I’ve told him he’s not meant to be waving good-bye—he’s only supposed to take it out of my pocket, and give it back.

  Tuesday 14th May

  First day of the Braidwood meeting. I wonder how Inheritor went.

  I went to see Cattus’s kittens today and they’re very funny the way they tumble over each other and chase their tails. I’d love to keep one, but a kitten’s too small in stables and anyway Tom says one cat’s enough. I hope they find homes for them all.

  Thursday 16th May

  Archy did it—and he was almost perfect, too. When Mr de Mestre was doing inspection he gave Archy a carrot and Archy bent forward and nuzzled his cheek.

  ‘That’s nice, Archy,’ he said. Then next thing, Archy had his head inside Mr de Mestre’s coat and pulled out his handkerchief and gave a big snort, like he was blowing his nose! I went red to the tips of my ears. He was meant to take my handkerchief. Fortunately, Mr de Mestre laughed and said, ‘Are you turning pickpocket, Archy?’ I didn’t say a thing; I let him think it was an accident. But I told Archy afterwards that he should be careful whose handkerchief he nicks.

  Tuesday 21st May

  Tom and Barney got back from Braidwood tonight around suppertime, and Barney couldn’t wait to tell me how well Inheritor did. On Tuesday he ran in the Maiden Plate over one-and-a-half miles and came first. That same afternoon he ran the Welter Race, which was three times round, and came first again—only with another jockey, James Cashman, riding.

  Then Wednesday was a rest day and on Thursday he was in the Town Plate—twice round—and came first again, with Cutts riding him.

  Barney was grinning all over his face when he told me. He seemed to think this proved Inheritor’s a better horse than Archer. He’s NOT! But Barney says Inheritor’s got a really good chance of winning the Melbourne Cup, so Archer had better watch out.

  I tried to tell him that was stuff and nonsense when he thumped me. And I thumped him back, playfully, till Tom started yelling at us to knock it off, or he’d be banging both our heads together.

  Wednesday 22nd May

  Over breakfast this morning Tom said Melbourne looks down on Sydney and always has done. That’s why Mr de Mestre is going First Class—so he can arrive in style.

  ‘Melbourne’s a bit toffy-nosed,’ Tom said. ‘She thinks she’s better than Sydney. But the thing is, Sydney doesn’t care. She never has cared and never will. She’s older for a start, so is Hobart, and both of them had convicts in the early days, while Melbourne didn’t. So she thinks she’s better, somehow. Then, when gold was discovered, Melbourne ended up being very rich and took on more airs and graces.’ Tom started to chuckle. ‘Then ten years ago Victoria broke away to form a separate colony and Melbourne took three days to celebrate. She was sure Sydney would be ruined. But since then nothing’s changed. Sydney’s still the same and doesn’t care and Melbourne’s still toffy-nosed and up herself.’ He had another chuckle. ‘Cook’s from Melbourne—aren’t you, love?’

  Cook glared at him. ‘And all the better for it! And don’t you “love” me!’ Tom winked at us behind her back.

  Friday 24th May

  It was Empire Day today: Queen Victoria’s birthday. Queensland and Victoria are both named after her. She was eighteen when she became queen and Mr de Mestre says she loves horses. She rode them as a girl, and the faster the better. She loves racing them, too. I expect there’ll be fireworks in Sydney and Melbourne to celebrate, but not at Terara. They’d only scare the horses.

  Saturday 25th May

  George drove me in to Terara today and Pa’s coming to pick me up. I’m waiting for him now outside the butcher’s.

  Later

  On the way home Pa started to say how relieved he is that he doesn’t have to move the family. Then I gave him two months’ pay and he was so pleased that he turned round to hug my shoulder and almost fell off the dray. He told me how careful Ma is to count their savings every time she adds her egg money and the deposit is growing nicely.

  Next thing, he started talking about the block of land he’ll have and all these plans he has for it—what he’ll grow and the animals he’ll stock. ‘And,’ he said, looking at me, ‘you won’t have to go on working for Mr de Mestre any more. You can come back home—in fact, I’ll want you to work for me instead.’

  It was as if he’d suddenly hit me. I went cold all over and didn’t know what to say. I don’t want to go home and work for him. I want to stay at Terara with the horses—with Archer, especially. But I could see he’d set his heart on it, so for the moment I didn’t say anything.

  I just hope it won’t happen.

  Ma had cooked a rabbit stew because I was back, with carrots and beans she’d grown, and while we were eating Pa started talking about his land and how I was coming home to help him. Ma looked across at me and I thought maybe she knew how I was feeling.

  So she tried to change the subject and said that she’s been writing to ladies round the district, asking if they’ll need a girl next year to live in and do light duties. Then Hetty piped up and said she’d rather care for a baby. She’s good with little ones and doesn’t want only light duties. But Pa quick as lightning said she’ll take whatever she’s offered and can’t be choosy. Hetty looked down at her plate, then at me and later I told her what he said to me on the way here. She gave me a hug then and said she hopes it works out for both of us.

  I’m almost finished my diary for today, but before he went to sleep Sam told me that he’s asked Pa for a horse for when he gets his block of land and that Pa’s said maybe. So at least someone, besides Pa, is pleased.

  Sunday 26th May

  Tom came out to collect me this morning and met Ma and Pa. Then on the way back I told him what Pa had said. He was holding the buggy reins in one hand and going bloop-bloop-bloop on his bottom lip, while he thought about it. Then he said Mr Robertson still has to get his bill through parliament and we can worry about Pa’s plans after that. If Pa insists, maybe he’ll get Mr de Mestre to talk to Pa and tell him I’m indispensable. I asked what that meant and he said it meant they couldn’t do without me!

  Tuesday 28th May

  It was just Mr de Mestre and me this morning, setting out to take the steamship to Newcastle. From there we’ll walk the horses across to Maitland. I’m hoping the sea stays calm this time, so I’m not seasick. Up till now it’s turned out smooth and I’m fine.

  Archy and Inheritor are quietly settled in their boxes and there’s a good moon, so I can write on deck with only a stub of a candle. We pass Sydney tomorrow early, but go straight on to Newcastle without stopping.

  Friday 31st May

  We’re in Maitland getting the horses ready for their meeting on Tuesday, with plenty of walking and track work when we can manage it. The land around us reminds me a bit of Terara—it’s flat and good for grazing. Mr de Mestre is keeping the horses out of sight as much as he can, so we’ve found a quiet park near the st
ables and this morning he rode Archer and I rode Inheritor round a couple of times. And I don’t care what Barney says, Inheritor isn’t nearly as good as Archy.

  Tuesday 4th June

  Mr de Mestre had Johnny Cutts call at the stables early for instructions and he’s to ride Inheritor in the Maiden Plate. Then he said he’d be riding Archer himself in the match race. George Rowe wants Johnny to ride Veno. I don’t understand it. I’ve never seen Mr de Mestre ride Archer, not even for track work. He’s always busy timing him.

  Anyway, in Inheritor’s race, Johnny doesn’t come anywhere. So much for Barney saying Inheritor’s going to romp home in the Melbourne Cup! I can’t wait to tell him.

  Then come afternoon they line up for the match race, in a full field. I’m still not sure what to expect, with Veno and Archer both strong favourites. The starter drops his flag and they’re off to a smooth start—till they reach the first turn, then something funny happens.

  All the horses except Archy and Veno fall back. It seems like the jockeys aren’t trying any more and Veno and Archer surge ahead, galloping flat out, neck-and-neck the rest of the way. Then Mr de Mestre goes after Veno, the Champion of the Australian Turf winner that beat Alice Hawthorne. Mr de Mestre sees his chance and makes his run, and I start jumping up and down. He rides Archy hard and comes in with a brilliant finish. Archy’s over the line and well clear of Veno! Melbourne, here we come!