THE RACE FOR THE MELBOURNE CUP.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2467, 18 November 1868, Page 3

THE RACE FOR THE MELBOURNE CUP.

(Fromtk Argus.)

After parading in front of the stand, the competitors (24 in number) marched to the post, from whence, after a slight delay caused by the fractiousness of Lantern and Shenandoah, they were despatched to a pretty even start, of which Tim Whiffler had all the worst, Booyoolee refusing to go with his horses was left behind.' The first to show in advance were Barwon and Shenandoah, both of whom made strong running past the stand, followed by Little Fish, Mr Tait's two, and Ragpicker, Tim Whiffler following in the ruck Rounding the turn, 'r Cleeland's two maintained the pride of place, and still further increased their lead as they went along the back of the course, Mary Ann lying third, and Little Fish, Ragpicker, and several others already hanging out signals of distress, \ earing the abattoirs, Barwon began to fall hack, but the grey mare still carried on the running, and so strong was she going, that many imagined Bhe would never be headed, " Will they ever catch her ?" resounded from all sides. Soon, however, the yellow garb of John Tait was seen .forging" to the front, : and just as the scraping-sheds, were . reached, Glencoe, going, as 'strong as a lion, made & fine effort'and deprived Shenandoah of the lead, Strop J also" coming with 'a grand rush as they swept into the straight, from which

pointJto race was never in doubt, the chest-1 having it. in hand all the way inonlcYandhissuccess.was loudly proclaimed ;as - the - rails * opposite : the' carriage paddock were reached. But Strop came again, and for a moment looked dangerous; it was but for a moment, however, for Stanley shook Ins horse, and he won cleverly by a oT E , aimdst tremendous excitement; wi™m oah flnißllin g ft good third, Tim I Wluffler fourth, and Smolensko fifth; the ruck being many lengths behind. The victory A of Glencoe was undoubtedly a great one, for it must be borne in mind that he was carrying 3lb over his weight for age, and such a performance stamps him as quite the equal of Fireworks. Whether Shenandoah might have wou had she not had so much taken out of her by her factiousness, and also by making the running for such a time, is a matter we shall not discuss; but we are strongly of opinion that had she been favoured with luck, the Cup would not have gone to Sydney again. The Tasmanian strop ran a good horse, and his position in the race speaks volumes for his condition. Tim Whiffler's performance was, indeed, a grand one. Getting away badly, and also suffering from the disadvantage of being disappointed when endeavouring to get to the front, still he defeated every! Victorian horse in the race with the' exception of one. ' The manner in which he came through his horses towards the finish must prove a silencer to those who prophesied his ignominous downfall; and if ever there was a case of defeated but not disgraced,' it was upon the occasion of Tim Whiffler running a good fourth in the Melbourne Cup of 1868 The position of the Fisherman family in the race proves most conclusively that the progeny of the old Heron horse have been sadly overrated, as none of them looked dangerous after the first mile; Seagull breaking down badly, and the others not even flnishine near the first four." " . '

The Age supplies the following particulars regarding the winner : _ A reference to the Victorian " Ruff" makes it, now that Glencoe has really won, and all the pot of money has gone or is going to Sydney, all the more remarkable that he should haTe been so completely overlooked, We find him last year figuring in the Cup with 6st 41b up, finishing a good fourth, in the fastest race on record, 3min; 39sec, The next day, when looking all a horse in the Royal Park Stakes, he bolted; but we hare him the same day in the Corinthian' Cup, heating the horse that ran second to him yesterday,'the;weights being, Glencoe Bst. 121b., Strop 11st. 51b. In the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes, on the 30th November, he seems to hare had' no chance, or else he was not persevered with, as Fireworks was the horse of the stable. Next day, in ihe Galatea Stakes (carrying weight for age), he ran second' to Fireworks, The Fly, about which we have heard a great deal lately, being a bad third. On the 13th of April, at Homebush,hewon the Country Stakes with Bst 12lb up, and the next day he again scored a win in the Corinthian Cup, M Randwick he won the St. Leger, about which some hard things, it will be remembered, were said. In the Sydney Cup (won hy_ his Btable companion The Barb) he finished up sixth, the time being 3 min. 40 sec. Next day he had the honour of running second to Fireworks (with whom Mr Tait declared to win), beating Silvertail, the Italian, Kingfisher, and Carnation. Alterwards he won the Corinthian Stakes in a canter. Next day in the Forced Handicap, with Bst 12lb up, he only succeeded in getting a place. Carnation, 3 yrs (7st 21b) being first, and Hambledon Hill, 4 yrs (7st 6lb), second, This was his last public appearance prior to his greatest victory, but it is more than likely that we shall hear more of him before this meeting closes.