Melbourne Cup relic surfaces at Ballarat shop

HOW many people would own the prize given to the winning jockey of the 1876 Melbourne Cup?Just one, of course, and that man is Ballarat's Cordell Kent. Mr Kent, who owns the Mining Exchange Gold Shop, couldn't believe it when someone entered his store yesterday and offered to sell the extremely rare artefact.Although he is not exactly sure what the item is, he has no doubts the 134-year-old prize is worth quite a sum of money.He said it appears it might be a belt buckle but he was unsure.The timing of the visit from a member of the public, who wished to remain anonymous, made it even better."If he had come in a day later, it might've lost all its razzle and dazzle," said Mr Kent."I'm pretty excited to have it."In 1876, Peter St Albans, aged 13, was the youngest jockey ever to win the Melbourne Cup. It is believed he was given the artefact after riding Briseis to victory.Mr Kent said he is not often a collector of such items but found it impossible to resist."To have early goldfields jewellery like this is just amazing," he said. The artefact will be on display for about a week at Mr Kent's shop.