FEATURE STORY
THE RETURN OF THE ELMS HANDICAP BY ANDREW LEMON Named after the elm trees that populate Flemington and provide botanical beauty, the Elms Handicap is set to race once again on Black Caviar Lightning raceday. We examine the history of the race. Think Flemington – think roses. Sixteen thousand rose bushes, mostly primed for spring. Think Flemington again – think elms. “Ulmus procera” is the botanical name for the English elm, “procera” meaning “tall” in Latin. But at Flemington Racecourse, elm trees were first planted 145 years ago not just for height but for their spring and summer shade, their autumn colour and their sculptural winter form. In 1876 the Secretary of the Victoria Racing Club was the very practical Robert Cooper Bagot. Here is a report in theweekly paper, the Australasian: “One of the improvements contemplated by Mr Bagot is the extension of tree-planting … It is his intention to plant a line of elms, pines, etc., along the banks of the river, whereby the beauty of the Flemington racecourse will be greatly enhanced.” His famous successor, Henry Byron Moore – who held the chief executive job for an astonishing forty-four years – was an expert in everything. Among his many talents, he was an accomplished horticulturalist, intent on making Flemington into a true garden racecourse. Flowers were part of the story. So too were trees. Byron Moore oversaw the mass planting of elms in three parts of the grounds. Some were set out in an avenue, with other species, along what was called the carriage drive from Epsom Road to the grandstands, the origin of today’s Members’ Drive. Some were planted with oaks and conifers to create grassy shade towards the back of the Hill Reserve for picnickers. It’s part of what nowbecomes “The Park” in the Melbourne Cup Carnival. And plenty more were planted towards the river end of the racecourse. Byron Moore in the 1880s created Flemington’s original Birdcage, or raceday stalls and saddling enclosure, in that vicinity. A betting ring for bookmakers and a picnic area were all planted out with elms. The trees grew quickly, and soon people imagined they had been there forever. That precinct was simply The Elms. It remained the heart of Flemington until the betting ring, mounting yard and raceday stables were relocated to around their current vicinity in the 1920s. Many of the trees remained. Made over again around 1960, the Elms Precinct has always been among the most relaxed and roomiest parts of the public reserve.
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