THE MELBOURNE CUP.

Evening Star, Issue 13099, 4 November 1908, Page 6

THE MELBOURNE CUP.

STORY OF THE RACE. HARL LUCK FOR THE TOP-WEIGHT. BOTH FAVORITES FAIL BADLY. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright, MELBOURNE, November 4. (Received November 4, at 9.45 a.m.) The weather was ominous in the morning, but turned out cool and pleasant, with bright sunshine, and the brilliant assemblage confirmed Flemington’a reputation on its Carnival Day. The Cup race was full of disappointments. Horses with performances that bad been the talk of sports for the week past vamshed in the straight, and no public favorite called for, those terrific bursts of cheering that such victories evoke. But notwithstanding that the hero of the day was a comparatively friendless horse, his brilliant. win produced. genuine applause. The start was a good one. As the field came into the course proper Dyed Garments came down as the result of a collision with Emir. The pace set by Jack Smith was very solid, and it told its tale along the back stretch and the-abattoirs; but in the run for home a great battle commenced. Delaware was piloting his field round the bend, and as they neared the home turn Peru and Ladv W'ilde dropped back, while Mooltan, Alawa, and Lord Nolan followed Delaware into the straight. When .in line for ’the judge’s box Mooltan cut down Delaware, and as he did so the victory of the Metropolitan winner was loudly anticipated. But ere the distance was reached Lord Nolan came on with a brilliant run, and just inside that point was upsides with Mooltan, upon whom the weight was beginning to tell. A few strides further on Lord Nolan had the measure of Mooltan, but just as it seemed as though the colt would score a comfortably easy victory Tulkeroo came on with a full head of steam, while Delaware was at the bead of the others, gradually closing up the gap. Inside the half-distance Tulkeroo, who appeared to swerve slightly in towards the colt, got almost on terms a few strides from the post, where Godby tried to straighten his mount, and the pair flashed past the judge’s line of vision with the colt in front by a very narrow margin. It was a great finish, in which the honors were decidedly with Tulkeroo. who ran a great race, and who, as in the Caulfield Cup, just suffered defeat. Delaware, who struggled on, passed the wearied-ont Mooltan, and secured third money. Alawa and Peru shaped most disappointingly. This much-fancied pair moved up into good positions within half a mile of the post, but though all was plain sailing neither showed the slightest dash of brilliancy when called upon to finish. Delaware ran much better than was expected, hut Sir Aymer, of whom at one time great tilings were expected, never flattered his party. Mooltan had the worst luck of any horse in this year’s Cup. Delaware had the topweight pinned on the rails, and kept him there for half a furlong. Had Mooltan got a clear run at the critical moment, it might have made all the difference. To make matters worse. Mooltan was galloped on in the race, and had his coronet cut. He shows signs of serious lameness. Seldom in an important race have two horses come home so tired as did Lord Nolan and Tulkeroo. Both riders were completely exhausted.