THE MELBOURNE CUP

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21290, 9 October 1934, Page 14

THE MELBOURNE CUP

GREATEST HANDICAP RACE NEW ZEALAND SUCCESSES A victory in the Melbourne Cup, the richest prize in Australia or New Zealand, is the aim of every owner, trainer, and jockey. The Melbourne and Sydney bookmakers offer plenty of opportunities for early bettors, and as soon as nominations are taken owners are enabled to back their fancies at good odds. The Melbourne Cup is usually regarded as very profitable for the bookmakers, but in several cases—notably in Carbine's Cup—the reverse has been the case. While many horses compete at the Australian Jockey Club's meeting and then return for the New Zealand Cup at Riccarton only a comparatively few are sent on to Melbourne for the meeting which takes place about the same time as the Riccarton fixture. On occasions, however, the New Zealand representation has been very strong, and several times the race has been won by New Zealand-bred horses. In 1883 Martini-Henry by Musket at. three years old followed up his V.R.C. Derby victory by taking the Melbourne Cup with 7-5 on his back, and in 1890 Carbine won with 10-5 in the record time of 3min 28isec, the field of 39 being the biggest that has ever started in this race. It was not until 1907 that Apologue, by Phcebus Apollo, with 7-9, again won for New Zealand, and Sasanof, by Martian, was successful, under 6-12, in 1916. Nightmarch, by Night Raid, won in 1929 with 9-2 in the saddle, and Phar Lap carried 9-12 in the following year. Not all the horses at present in Sydney will be returned to New Zealand immediately, and there is still a chance of a Domin-ion-bred horse proving successful in this year's race.

Nightly and Silver Ring

The Metropolitan Handicap, run over a mile and five furlongs, is the principal handicap event at the Australian Jockey Club's spring meeting, and it might be expected to provide an excellent rehearsal for the Melbourne Cup, which is to be decided at 'Flcmington on the second day of the Victoria Racing Club's spring meeting. It is strange, however, that in very few instances has the Metropolitan Handicap victor or runner-up won the Melbourne Cup, and the Epsom Handicap of one mile has found few of the winners go on to win the Flemington two miles race. In 1929, however, Mr A. Louisson's Nightmarch, then a four-year-old, won the Epsom Handicap under 9-4, and he went on to Melbourne to win the Cup with 9-2, the mighty Phar Lap being amongst those beaten by the New Zealander. In this year's race Waikare, the Metropolitan Handicap winner, is not engaged, but Nightly, who finished third, is amongst the list of acceptors with the substantial weight of nine stone to carry, which is only two pounds less than is allotted to last year's winner, Hallmark, and 101b less than has been given Peter Pan. the victor of 1932. Nightly, however, represents good class on his New Zealand running, and he does not '. appear to have had anything in his favour in the running of the Metropolitan Handicap, in which race his jockey, R. Reed, was disappointed several times in not finding an opening or failing to take advantage of one that was presented. Reed's judgment may have been at fault —in such a field the luck must be with the rider —but the colt showed rare finishing prowess. He would possibly not be right at the top of his form and his recurring soreness may not have helped him. His clear cut victory in the Randwick Plate on Saturday however removes all doubt as to Nightly's staying ability. If his trainer, F. D. Jones, elects to start him against the cracks at Melbourne, he will have to be well satisfied that the horse is in a condition to stand a thorough preparation and a hard race. While Silver Ring has not been generally regarded as a genuine stayer this is onlv because most of his racing has been done over shorter courses, but his brilliant victory in the Epsom Handicap in a field of 20 starters, the mile being run in lmin 363 sec, shows him to be gifted with stamina above the ordinary. When Nightmarch won the Epsom Handicap in 1929 he carried 9-4 and did lmin SGJsec, and Silver Ring on this occasion was weighted at 9-6. A good idea of his prospects will be given in his race for the Caulfield Stakes on the first day of the Caulficld Cup meeting. There seems no reason why Silver Ring should not go two miles, and on breeding lie should be a stayer. His sire, Silverado, is a son of. Polymelus from Silver Tag by Sundridgc. while his dam. Orange Blossom, is bv Nassau from Nantes by Stepniak and traces back through lines of great stayers. Others that figure amongst the first acceptors are The Masquerader 7-11, Sir Simper 7-7, Limbohm 7-7, Walton Park 7-7. Chief Light 7-4, Custodian 7-1. Marcus Cicero 7-1, and Cahente 6-12.

When Carbine Won When Carbine won the Melbourne Cua in 18.00, under the steadier of 10-5, and ran the two miles in 3min 28.isee, establishing a record for the race, the stake to the winner was £IO,OBO, and a cup valued at £l5O. Besides the huge stake for the owner the betting was most spirited, and it is estimated that the bookmakers lost approximately £IOO,OOO by the New Zealand-bred horse's victory. Besides this, in Sydney alone, there was one sweepstake of £50,000, two of £25,000, and four £IO.OOO sweeps. Never had there been such excitement at Flemington, and never had a greater horse raced in Australia. Carbine's win was described by a contemporary writer as follows: "Whether L-uch a victory as Carbine has achieved should be passed over with poor and paltry presentation of plate is a question. Carbine ought to be set up in bronze at Flemington to stand in perpetual commemoration of the great race. It was only when the turn for hornt' was reached that everybody knew where Carbine was. With the quick nervous grip of the knees and the rhythmical awing of the body, young Ramage lifts the favourite along and lands him an easy and a gallant winner with more than two lengths of daylight between him and his next pursuer. . . . And then the thunder broke from all the clouds of humanity which had settled down on Flemington. Hats went flying through the air like leaves rent by a September gale. Men leapt and shouted and women by the hundreds screamed with delight. . . . Men fought savagely for a peep at Carbine and women half-strangled their children in efforts to hold them above the mob, so that they might be able to say some day they saw Carbine on the day he won the Cup. We shall hardly expect to see such a day, and such a horse, and such a race. Two miles in 3min 28jsec! It is not two miles, be it remembered; run on a straight track and against time, but raced, through a squadron, a way which had to be traced with care and skill, and caution and boldness. . . . Glory to the horse we say once more, now that the race is ended, and chief glory to Cargine, the chief of all horses. Carbine, the best horse in the world." Carbine was almost mobbed in the paddock, and it was found impossible to rub him down. He had to be taken J lO , me , for that purpose, but before he left, he lost a portion of his tail and Dart of his mane, his numerous admirers crowding over each other to secure a few hairs as a memento of the occasion. Carbine won his race 44 years ago. but his name endures as one of the greatest horses that ever carried colours in New Zealand or Australia. The First Cup This year the Melbourne Cud carries | a stake of 10.000 sovs and a troplvy I valued at 200 sovs. The race was first run on January 15, 1849, when, according to an Australian writer, "There

was only a handful of people to witness the race for the Melbourne Cup, which was a little, silver goblet-like trophy presented by Mr Dunbar, one of the earliest and most enthusiastic I of our sportsmen before the village by the Yarra had become 'marvellous. The Cup was valued at 15 guineas. The first Cup attracted a field of eight competitors, and among them were some fairly good horses. The race was run in heats and the first winner of the great event was Belzoni, who carried 9-8 to victory over a rough course. Even in those days there were New Zealand horses in the field. We find the name of Honi Heki in third place, this being the name of the notorious Maori Chief who led to victory many a horde of warrior savages through the North Island." The "Argus" report of the meeting stated that the first heat was won easily by Belzoni, having it all his own way. Honi Heki shot his bolt at the start and thenceforth was out of the running. In the second heat "Heki led at a rapid pace, too fast for the weight he was carrying, which soon told on him, and Belzoni and Rover shot past." The race was run on a hot day in January and according to a report "the temperance party were so influential at the time that the stewards could not get a publican's license for the refreshment booth."

BRANTONA WINS FRENCH RACE (uhited rasas association—ey blictsjo TELEGBAI'H—COFVHtGHT.) PARIS, October 7. The Grand Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe, run at Longchamps, resulted:— Baron de Rothschild's BRANTONA Bouillon 1 Count de Rivaud's Assuerus "Togo" Johnstone 2 The.Aga Khan's Felicitation Gordon Richards 3 Thirteen started. Won by two lengths and a half. MASTERTON R.C. ACCEPTANCES (PRESS ASSOCIATION TJSLEOBAUJ •MASTERTON. October 8. Tho following are the acceptances for the first day of tho Masterton Racing Club's spring meeting:— NURSERY HANDICAP, of 75 boys, four furlongs and 63 yards. st. lb. at. lb. Covers .. 8 8 Alchemic .. 7 11 Kompalong 8 0 Matrimony 7 10 Maestro .. 7 13 Medway .. 7 10 Hunting Nightlass .. 7 4 Scene 7 11 Pomposity 7 1 HIGH-WEIGHT HANDICAP, of 100 sovs. One mile and 63 yards. st. lb. st. lb. Emotion .. 10 13 Chile .. 9 5 .Mercian Raparahar.i 9 0 Prince 10 5 Bright Sky 9 0 Leo Colossus 931 Umpire .. 9 0 Te Ua .. 9 10 Tannin ..90 LAN'S DOW.NJS HANDICAP, of 100 soys. Hack conditions. Seven furlongs and 63 yards. st. lb. st. lb. King Royal Record 7 11 Thomond 9 0 Grand Blow 7 11 Cuddle .. 8 9 Royal Dash 7 5 Timorous .. 8 0 Silage . . 7 5 Cherry King 8 5 Linoleum .. 7 5 Bonnie Yale 8 3 Hornpipe . . 7 5 Purso .. 7 13 Umpire .. 7 5 Royal Rene Belle 7 5 Banquet 7 11 MASTERTON HANDICAP (Open), of 150 sovs. One mile and a quarter and 63 yards. st. lb. st; lb. Gold Trail 9 O Walton Park 8 0 Brambletorn 8 11. Might .. 7 6 Hazoor .. 8 9 Ohopin .. 7 0 Arikira . . 8 7 Blue Boy .. 7 0 Lady Ronald 8 2 LAWN HANDICAP, of 120 sovs. Hack conditions. One mile and 63 yards. st. lb. st. lb. Synagogue 9 9 Hukemanu 7 13 Sir Nigel .. 9 0 Sweet Music 7 7 Cuddle . . 8 11 Mercian Dorado . . 8 7 Quoen 7 7 Bonnie Vale 8 2 Revival . . 7 7 Purse .. 8 0 Inveresk' . . 7 7 GRANDSTAND HANDICAP (Open), of 130 boys. SeYen furlongs and 63 yards. st. lb. st. lb. Prince West Tor .. 8 2 Colossus f) 0 Royal Passion Pruit 8 J 3 Routine 8 0 Lady Spy .. 8 9 Navaho . . 8 0 Cyclonic .. 8 2 ELECTRIC HANDICAP, of 100 sovs. Hack conditions. Six furlongs and 63 yards. st. lb. st. lb. Hunting Jay 9 6 Confiscation 7 2 Pladie .. 9 o Flamingo .. 7 2 Cawbeen .. 8 13 Perimeter .. 7 0 Hunting Argument .. 7 0 Lodge 8 5 Sir Spear .. 7 0 Wasteland 8 2 Dover Patrol 7 0 BeJlbroncy 7 6 Wahino Nu.i 7 0 Body.line .. 7 5 Gayfire .. 7 0 Ethiop . . 7 3 MAIDEN STAKES, of 100 sovs. Six furlongs and 63 yards. Bt. lb. st. lb. Dawn Dampier .. 8 8 Princess 8 8 Helen Ford 8 8 Clembroney 8 8 Happy Day 8 8 Victory Tea 8 8 Enif .. 8 8 Taura King 8 8 Maine .. 8 8 Hound Score 8 8 Outspan . . 8 8 Taumau . . 8 8 Carlock .. 8 8 Orby's Last 8 8 Multi Aero 8 8 Padnos .. 8 8 Leith .. 8 8 Plash . . 8 8 Chaste .. 8 8 Ronald .. 8 8