MALUA
Malua
was THE most versatile Australian thoroughbred race horse
in history. He was a son of St. Al bans from Edella by
Peter Wilkins. Malua was bred by John Field of "Calstock"
in Deloraine, Tasmania, and as a yearling was sold to
Thomas Reibey the former Premier of Tasmania.
Malua
won over distances ranging from 5½ furlongs to
3¼ miles (1,100 – 5,200 m).
As a two-year-old the colt raced in Tasmania, where his
name was Bagot. He won on three different tracks, but
was then sold on the mainland for 500 guineas to J O Inglis,
who changed the colt's name to Malua. Malua is a Fijian
word meaning "wait a while".
In 1884, Malua won the Newmarket Handicap (6 furlongs/1,200
metres) and Oakleigh Plate (5.5 furlongs/1,100 metres)
carrying 9 st 7 lb (60 kg; 133 lb). Malua's jockey set
a precedent when he took him to the outside (grandstand
side) rail to win the Newmarket, a tactic not used before.
he also won the Adelaide Cup in that year.
The
term "Malua's track" was coined to name that
portion of the Flemington Racecourse.
After a trip to Sydney, where he won the Spring Stakes,
Malua returned to Melbourne for the 1884 Caulfield Cup,
in which he carried 9 st 12 lb (63 kg; 138 lb). He was
not placed but finished strongly and convinced his connections
to run him in the Melbourne Cup. He won the Melbourne
Stakes and became favourite for the big race.
Carrying
9 st 9 lb (61 kg; 135 lb), Malua fought out the finish
with Commotion (9 st 12 lb) to win by half a length.
Two days later he won the six furlong weight-for-age
Flying Stakes on Oaks Day.
Malua had a marvellous constitution and in 1886 carried
9st 9lb to win the Australian Cup.
In
1888 he was switched to jumping, not so unusual in those
days and he won the VRC Grand National Hurdle, ridden
by his owner, Mr J.O.Inglis. Malua continued racing combining
it with his stud career until 1889.
This was an extraordinary horse that was able to carry
heavy weights and defeat the best racehorses in top sprint
and staying races.
In
his last race as a ten-year-old in 1889, Malua won the
Geelong Cup.
Despite his vigorous career, Malua sired Malvolio, winner
of the 1891 Melbourne Cup and Ingliston the winner of
the 1900 Caulfield Cup.
A
committee raised money to build a memorial to Malua in
the township of Deloraine where he was born. It has been
completed and is on the side of the main "drag"
through the picturesque town of Deloraine. Well worth
stopping to have a look if you're passing through.
In the suburb of Ormond in Melbourne, there is a street
named after the great horse (Malua Street). This little
street also for a period of time housed the great Dame
Nellie Melba.
