EXTRA EDITION.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 107, 2 November 1904, Page 6

EXTRA EDITION.

LATE SPORTING. HOW ACRASIA WON THE MEL. BOURNE CUP. A GALLANT VICTORY. EQUAL TO BEST CUP TRADITION WAIRIKI Itf A BAD WAY, [PBESS ASSOCIATION,] (Received November 2, 10.30 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. The Government Astronomer had predicted a hot day, and the prediction was fulfilled in a thoroughly convincing manner. As a social gathering the Cup was particularly brilliant, the dressing being superb, though, it was really too hot for effective pEomenadmg. Despite the great reaches of htma and acres of stand accommodation crushing was not altogether absent. Upon the hills tens of thousands jostled and got uncomfortably warm. The Cup did not fall to the favourite, but Acrasia was certainly not an outsider, and at a nice price carried a lot of public money. The race produced a struggle that ranks with the best traditions, and the time put up is equal to Carbine's, which, is the best on record for the race. As Lord Cardigan, carrying the good •wishes of many thousands, whose cheers ■were for the plucky horse, led the_ field to the straight, it seemed for a moment thafc the little hero of last year's race and the Sydney Cup would again triumph, but Acrasia. slowly wore him down, and snatched a victory." Naturally, with so much money depending on them, Wairiki, Tartan, Marißont, and Lord Cardigan held' the largest levees. Their respective owners and trainers were very confident of victory. Wairiki came in for keen criticism, and the- general opinion of experts was that a horse with such bad-looking 1 legs copld not succeed in such company. He was one of the most, infirm-looking candidates that ever ran in Melbourne. Their judgment proved correct, as- the race had not been long under way when Wairiki, who •nras in the centre of the field, broke down, and a little later pulled up, the jockey dismoeating. THE RACE. Ruenalf and Rhapsody were among the early beginners, with Marmont, Lord Fhvzroy, and Emir dose up. They made play for a mile and a" furlong, and when the Abattoirs was reached they were still in front, but Marmont, Emir, Lord Fitzioy, and Ossian began to crowd on them. The two leaders shot • their bolt • seen after, and Marmont, Lord Fitzroy, and Ossian were the first to turn the home corner, the pace still being a cracker. When the home stretch was fairly" entered upon Ossian shot clear in front, and as he headed up the straight he was going so strongly that he seemed to have the race won, but a little later Blinker came out and tackled Mr. Crick's horse, and had him beaten in a few strides. While that was happening Lord Cardigan, wi»o had been drawing up gradually, made his effort, and at 'the same t^me Acrasia put in a brilliant run on the extreme outside, and when fairly abreast of the distance she and last year's winner drew level with Blinker. For a few strides the trio ran locked together, but then the light-weight told its tale. Acraeia, forging out, drew away inch by inch, and won a good race by threequarters of a length ; Blinker, cracking in the last few strides, a similar distance away, third. COMMENTS. Marmont gave his backers a good ruh for their money, b,ut Tartan was at no time dangerous. When Waikiri returned to the paddock it was found that he had broken one of his shoulders, and was generally in a bad way. Sojourner and Sylvan King were so lame that they are not likely to race again for a considerable time. The failure of Tartan to run up to expectations is attributed to his having been interfered with by Sylvan King at the back of the course. Mr! Oxenham, the owner of Acrasia, had a £20,000 book on the race. THE NEW ZEALAND CUP. CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.There is no change in the Cup betting. Grand Rapids is still favourite, while Calibre is in more demand. RICCARTON TRAINING NOTES. CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. It- was a dull morning, and very li'.tle work of importance -was done, Hronghold went a mile at three-cpiarter pace. All the Cup horses cantered at half pace, excepting Convoy, who strode along over a mile in lmin 48§sec. Achrlies ran home haft a mile in 51isec, and walked .off the course lame behind, it is thought due to kidney troubles. A veterinary surgeon was sent for. Zingani went half a mile in 54sec. St. Denis, looking well, cantered. Ballarat galloped half a mile in 50|sec, all out. Royal Crown and Terrapin, carrying about 7.10 each, covered a mile in lmin 46sec. Terrapin had slightly the best of Ropa over half a mile, run in 50|sec. After breakfast nearly all the two-year-olds jumped off from the barrier on the half-mile course proper. Ostahkoff and Vardo finished ahead of Ingleneuk, Farley Grove, and Tsitsihar, over the Welcome Stakes course, in 51isec. Hilarity finisneu in front of Makaroff, Czarevna, Kalipso, and Canticle, each of which pulled off in 51£ sec. Eder, Sungod, 1 Delaware, Soltykoff, Noctnifonn, and Cruciform ran down at a useful pace. Munjeet (Hewitt) and Largesse (Jones) jumped away together. The latter was eased up, but Munjeet was ridden right out rather more than the four furlongs. Vladimir did steady exercibe.