Those who turned up a century ago witnessed something really special – a far cry from next week’s event when, for the first time, the Melbourne Cup will be run in front of silent stands. No feverish activity in the betting ring, no fashion finery, no cheering home a long shot, no one milling around the bronzed statue of three-time champion Makybe Diva.
On the first Tuesday in November 1920, carrying a big burden in his saddlebag and the hopes (and bets) of so many on course, the New South Wales stayer Poitrel was the last to leave the weighing enclosure but first past the post, sweeping…
