From the Archives, 1922: Caulfield Cup arson mystery

The members' stand at Caulfield racecourse was destroyed by a fire on Saturday morning. The damage is estimated at £11,000. A reward of £500 has been offered for information leading to the conviction of the supposed incendiaries. The fire started during the temporary absence of a watchman. Mr. W. Wake was feeding horses at Wheeler's stables at 3.47 a.m. He heard an explosion and saw the stand and the judge's box burning simultaneously. Residents heard a car coming and a motor being driven. They also heard the gate being slammed and lights flashing.

The fire on the Caulfield course was caused maliciously. The black trackers were requisitioned and Senior Constable Haygarth arrived from Dandenong with the tracker Peter and George. The Chief Commissioner of Police and Superintendent Potter arrived during the morning and returned in the afternoon. There are rumors as to the identity of the perpetrators.

Three-year-old Whittier wins the Caulfield cup.

The members' stand was destroyed by fire overnight. The Caulfield Cup of 1922 was won by the son of Woorak. Lord Forster was a spectator. He congratulated Whittier’s owner, Mr. Ben Chaffey, and presented him with the gold cup. The victory of the brown colt adds another delightful speculation to the turf uncertainty. It was the V.A.T.C. Spring meeting.

The buildings on Caulfield racecourse were burned down. The police have no suspects yet. A motor car left the race course at 4.15 a.m. on Saturday. It was rumoured that notorious Melbourne gangster Squizzy Taylor was involved. He was ordered off the Caufield Racecourse on Wednesday, October 18th, 1922.