Vintage Race-Play Horse Racing Game by M&L Plastics

This is a charming vintage Australian toy from M&L Plastics, Melbourne - a mechanical horse racing game called “Race-Play” that brings the excitement of the racetrack into your home. Manufactured shortly after World War 2, around 1945. Collectible and rare and the control box is made of Bakelite.
The set includes eight colorful plastic horses with jockeys in their original box, complete with the mechanical winding mechanism that makes them “race.” The horses come in various vibrant colors - white, burgundy/brown, lime green, red, pink, gray, yellow, and mint green - each with their corresponding jockey figure. Each horse is named after a famous Australian racehorse. The box features wonderful period graphics showing a bustling racetrack scene with horses, spectators, and grandstands in a distinctive illustration style.
The original instruction sheet is included, explaining how to set up and operate the race. The horses are attached to cords and drawn out together before being wound up to race back to the control box.

The wooden numbered paddles are not original to the game but added at some point and included as part of its history.

The set shows its age with appropriate vintage wear. The box has creasing, edge wear, and some staining consistent with decades of storage and use. Some of the plastic horses show paint loss and wear, particularly the mint green example. The instruction sheet is yellowed and has some staining but remains fully legible. Overall, this is a well-preserved example of a delightful Australian-made toy.