The Austral and a Great Deal of Money

The year was 1901 and the event, a quite sensational Austral Wheelrace, was conducted at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The Austral was by now the major annual event drawing enormous crowds, swelling the gate money and consequently the prizemoney.

It might have been presumed that the regular payment of prizemoney, contracts, expenses, profit and the like would be routine procedure.

It was the appearance of the name Bill Martin on the entry list that was to completely upset the financial balance.

Known more as 'Plugger' Bill Martin, he was born in Dublin but made a great living in America in the penny-farthing era including one race worth £1,000 in gold.

He had become a successful and popular rider now in Australia, the nickname 'Plugger' coming from his determination to plug on when others had given up.

By race day, many rumours had spread that a notorious gangster type had laid a bet with the bookies to win £7,000 and that Plugger Bill would be the winner.

The gamblers and obviously many others followed the rumour and also backed Plugger Bill.

It was found out later that the winner had been determined before the race even started and so with no real surprise, Plugger Bill Martin did win the Austral.

He took £445 prizemoney for the win but undoubtedly a lot more from his side bets.

It was six years later that a trainer confirmed the truth of the race fix.

Leading up to the race final most of the riders had been summoned by Martin who had a gun on his table and who proceeded to pay money directly to the riders.

One rider was said to have received £600, probably Frank Beauchamp, who expertly took Martin up to the bell then withdrew.

He was later suspended for 12 months for pacing in Martin's interest.

The Austral Honour Roll simply lists the 1901 winner as Bill Martin.

It doesn't reveal that the bookies lost £30,000 nor that another great deal of money was distributed in a most doubtful manner.

Event details

Quest Ivanhoe 124th Austral Wheelrace featuring the 2022 AusCycling Madison National Championships

• Sunday 6 March 2022
• Session 2: 2:00 pm – 4:45pm (Austral Heats)
• Session 3: 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm (Madison Championships and Austral Finals)

Where: Darebin International Sports Centre Velodrome, Thornbury, Melbourne

Grab your tickets today

The Quest Ivanhoe 124th Austral Wheelrace is supported by the Victorian Government.

Words from the AusCycling Vic. History and Heritage Committee (Ray Bowles).

Picture A: An Austral tradition was to photograph the riders and officials in front of the grandstand before the start of the final.

Picture B: Plugger Bill Martin (Scr) wins the 1901 Austral from A. C. Middleton (160y) and Don Walker (40y).