In 1956, the first Cup was staged at Sandown Park on the grass track over 565 yards under handicap condition. In 1962, the Cup was won by Saskagay, the first bitch to win the race. The prize money was £2000. In 1964, the CUP was run on a sand track for 555 yards. In 1966, handicap conditions were eliminated. Cheltenham Lass won after finishing second in 1965. In 1967, Neville Ballinger trained the Cup quinella with Swan Opal and Dollar Hunter. In 1970, Chris’ Dandy won for trainer Alex Kay, the fourth consecutive winner from New South Wales. in 1972, the winner was Gold grotto against a very strong field. In 1973, the distance was reduced again to 513 metres. In 1974, New Zealand-bred Kwik Metal upstages won the Cup. In 1975. the prized money increased to $11,500 to the winner, Dynamic Dean In 1978, the prize money increased again to $35,000. Actor Robert Stack presented the trophy. In 1979, actor Elke Sommer presented the trophy. In 1980, a silver Mercedes-Benz was given away to celebrate the 25 anniversary of the cup. The presenter was golfer Greg Norman. In 1985 with only a boutique kennel of four greyhounds, the illustrious Hall of Famer Ned Bryant trained the quinella with the Brian Lenehan owned Sydney Dingaan defeating Shining Chariot. In 1986, the distance was reduced to 511 metres. By 1991, the prize money had increased to $50,000. In 1992, Schweppes became the Cup sponsor and Master Giant the winner. By 1996, the distance had increased to 515 metres and the prize money to $100,000. The 1998 winner was Rapid Journey and the 1999 winner was Kantarn Bale. The prize money increased to $150,000 in 2004. In 2005, was the winner of the 50th Cup. In 2006 - Betty's Angel completed the Group 1 ADVANCE Sapphire Crown – Schweppes Melbourne Cup double, setting a new race record of 29.51. The winner in 2008 was Surgeon, with prize money of $175,000. In 2009, Lord Ducal won with a time of 29.53. In 2010, the winner was El Grand Senor with a dominant performance. In 2011, Dyna Tron in a race record 29.21 seconds. In 2011, prize money increased to $350,000.
Conditions
The final of the Melbourne Cup involves the winners of eight heats conducted the previous week. In order for a greyhound to qualify for the heats, it must win an 'exemption race' - a Group 1 sprint race, a Victorian country cup or a group race at Sandown Park 515m - in the 12 months preceding the Melbourne Cup final. The previous year's Melbourne Cup winner and all finalists in the 'Shootout,' a four-dog winner-takes-all event the week prior to the Melbourne Cup heats, also qualify for the Melbourne Cup heats, as do the winners of a Melbourne Cup Prelude. Melbourne Cup Preludes were first conducted in 1995. Melbourne Cup Preludes are conducted every two weeks, with the final Prelude series conducted on the same night as the Shootout. Remaining places in the Melbourne Cup heats are awarded to the best performed greyhounds that have competed in at least one Melbourne Cup Prelude series.
Melbourne Cup Prize money has grown considerably since the first running of the Cup in 1956:
1956 500 pounds to the winner
1964 $1000
1971 $8000
1975 $11,500
1978 $35,000
1990 $40,000
1991 $50,000
1994 $55,000
1995 $80,000
1996 $100,000
2002 $140,000
2005 $150,000
2008 $175,000
2011 $200,000
2012 $350,000
The Melbourne Cup winner also collects a gold trophy and presentation rug. In April 2012, Greyhound Racing Victoria announced a $6 million increase to prize money, including $450,000 to feature events at Sandown Park. This allowed the club to significantly increase the prize money for the Melbourne Cup, as well as several other feature races. All Group 1 events at Sandown Park were to carry a minimum $100,000 first prize.
