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AN ICON of Australia’s illustrious racing history has been installed at Swan Hill’s Regional Art Gallery to herald the lead-up to the June racing carnival.
The 1888 Melbourne Cup was designed for the centenary of British settlement in Australia and has been contracted by the gallery for Swan Hill’s winter racing season.
Gallery director Ian Tully said the 1888 Cup was one of the most significant, illustrating the importance the event held as an iconic national day.
The Melbourne Cup began in 1865 but the cup of 1888 was built specially to mark the centenary and is larger than other cups, with an impressive design.
The Centennial Cup features three horses cast in silver, weighing 800 grams, established on a large silver-plated base. To further mark the occasion, in 1888 the Melbourne Cup prize money was increased by 3000 gold sovereigns.
Mr Tully said he believed the cup would attract visitors interested in the history of racing and in the history of Australia.
Visitors to the gallery can also gain further insight through information about the cup and the 1888 race day.
The 1888 Melbourne Cup will be on display at the Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery until July 2.
