The postponement of the 1916 Melbourne Cup due to days of heavy rain that deteriorated the state of the track upset the plans of racegoers taking advantage of a public holiday to attend the great race.

“MELBOURNE CUP.” The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 – 1933) 7 Nov 1916: <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20106876&gt;.

But it was the caterers who suffered the most having prepared much of their food in the days prior.

“POSTPONEMENT OF MELBOURNE CUP.” Hamilton Spectator (Vic. : 1914 – 1918) 8 Nov 1916 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129389399&gt;.

“THE POSTPONED CUP.” The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929) 8 Nov 1916 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article59904012&gt;.

The first article, from The Brisbane Courier, stated the 1916 postponement was the first in the Cup’s history.  But it wasn’t as in 1870 the race was postponed, again due to rain.

“No Title.” The Bacchus Marsh Express (Vic. : 1866 – 1918) 29 Oct 1870 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article89700967&gt;.

The 1916 Melbourne Cup was eventually run on Saturday November 11  and the winner was Sasanof.

“MELBOURNE CUP WINNER FACES THE CAMERA.” Winner (Melbourne, Vic. : 1914 – 1917) 15 Nov 1916: <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154552058&gt;.