a canter" by one and a half lengths from Golden Ray. The win took his earnings for the season to £4,872. Melton went into the winter break as second favourite for the following year's Derby at odds of 10/1, and was reported to be the chosen ride of Fred Archer. 1885: three-year-old season Melton did not run in the 2000 Guineas, but made his seasonal reappearance in the Payne Stakes over ten furlongs at Newmarket in mid May. He started at odds of 2/5 and won "with great ease" from Kingwood and the future Oaks winner Lonely, to confirm his status as a leading contender for the Derby. At Epsom on 3 June, Melton started favourite at odds of 15/8 in a field of twelve. The race took place in brilliant weather before an enormous crowd which included the Prince and Princess of Wales. His main rival was expected to be Paradox (4/1), who, since being beaten in the Middle Park Stakes, had won the Dewhurst Stakes and the 2000 Guineas. Melton was held up near the back of the field as Royal Hampton made the early running and led into the straight. Xantrailles made a brief challenge to show in front before quickly dropping away. When Royal Hampton weakened two furlongs out, Paradox took the lead and was immediately challenged by Archer on Melton. From that point on the two had the race between them. Melton made gradual but relentless progress to catch Paradox "in the last stride" and win by a head in a "desperate finish", with Archer riding one of his strongest races. The result of the race was reported to have been transmitted to New York within three seconds. Melton's win, which cost the English bookmakers an estimated £450,000, made him the first Middle Park Plate winner to go on to take the Derby. Oscar Wilde was reported to have observed "I understand that Milton's Paradise Lost is being revived and will appear in Derby Week and will be published under the title Paradox Lost by Melton." Melton did not run again until the St Leger at Doncaster on 16 September. He started 40/95 favourite in a field of ten, with Isobar and Lonely next in the betting at 10/1. Melton broke quickly but was restrained by Archer and raced in last place as Dunbridge made the early running. Approaching the turn into the straight, Lonely