 Oxford , who were clear pre @-@ race favourites , won the toss and elected to start from the Middlesex station , handing the Surrey side of the river to Cambridge . Like the 1856 race , the race was conducted on the ebb tide , and the start was moved to Barker 's Rails , to " give the steamers room between the Aqueduct and the crews " . The start of the race was delayed for around half an hour as a result of a number of steamers impinging upon the course . The future British King , Edward VII , was in attendance . At the time of the race , there was a mild breeze and the water was " perfect , but for the steamers . " 
