b'75681681October 1859 AUSTRALIAN CHAMPION SWEEPSTAKES DAY, Bells Life Race Card, Champion Sweepstakes Day, Saturday, October 1st, 1859, with details of The City of Melbourne Handicap of 100 Sovereigns, The Spring Handicap Hurdle Race of 100 Sovereigns and two other races; the outside pages with advertisements for the Theatre Royal, Harris Furniture, the Albion Hotel, W.P.White & Co., Shipping Agents, the London Tavern,etc. The names of the horses, their owners, weights and colours are also detailed. A fabulous survivor of the earliest days of organized racing in Victoria. Understood to be the oldest Victorian race card in private hands.The City of Melbourne Handicap over 2 miles was replaced by the first Melbourne Cup two years later in 1861.$2,0002,500682682R. STOLZ, (Untitled), oil on canvas, signed lower right, 43 x 52cm. $1,2001,500'