MELBOURNE CUP

Grey River Argus, 23 November 1942, Page 3

MELBOURNE CUP

RUNAWAY WIN For Outsider Colonus ALL PLACINGS SURPRISES. [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Rec. 6.30) MELBOURNE, Nov. 22. Colonus, who had found six furlongs beyond him a little more than twelve months ago, revelled in the Flemington conditions on Saturday, when he spreadeagled the Melbourne Cup .field. His victory stunned the large attendance as also did the minor placings of Phocion and Heart’s Desire.. Phocion has not yet won a race. Heart’s Desire put up a meritorious performance, as a float conveying her and Ronolive broke down on the way to the course, and the start wa's delayed for five minutes to give them time to saddle up, Ronolive, however, was withdrawn.

Tranquil Star was in second place for a long way over the .journey, but weakened badly while Great Britain was one of the first horses to be beaten.

Dark Felt had every show, but he showed no dash from ‘the home turn Skipton was always hopelessly placed. In fact, the race was devoid of interest owing to the easy nature of the win.

Colonus is owned by Mr. L. O. Menck, who has been represented In the Melbourne Cup many times. Colonus was formerly, trained by Cecil Codby, and now is under the care of F. Manning, who deserves all credit for the horse's improvement. The horse cost his present owner 150 guineas. He now has won over £7OOO in stakes.

Colonus is ia four-year bay horse by Portoflno from Genoa and he has had a rapid rise to fame as a year ago he was only a moderate sprinter. He was sold privately last January by Mr. R. R. Thomas to Mr. L. O. Menck. The time was the slowest since Peter Pan’s 3.40 L An apprentice, H. McCloud, rode Colonus. He had his first Cup mount last year. He said that the other riders played into his hands, allowing Colonus to have matters his own way. Colonus took the lead inside a furlong and galloping freely to win by a big margin. Phocion and Heart’s Desire were always handy but never looked like catching Colonus in the run home, though McCloud took no chances, riding hard from the three [furlongs. Tranquil Star followed Colonus most of the way, but her solid weight had her beaten at the straight entrance. East End proved herself the best filly of the season by winning the: Oaks. She withstood a strong challenge from Philander. Reply Paid was a fair third. East end is owned by the V.R.C. chairman, Mr. R. Turnbull. In nine starts she has had four wins, and two seconds, and has won £3540 in stakes. The main results were:— MELBOURNE CUP:— COLONUS, 7.2, (H. McCloud) .. 1 PHOCION, 7.5, (L. Armfield) .. 2 HEART’S DESIRE 7.2 (H. Morris) 3 There were twenty-four starters. Colonus went to the front at the start, and he was never headed. Tran'quil St’ar and Great Britain were his nearest attendants for most of the way. Great Britain dropped back six furlongs from home. Tranquil Star dropped back at the home turn. Colonus was never in danger of defeat over the last half mile and Phocion finished gamely seven lengths behind. Heart’s Desire was five lengths further back, then, came Dark Felt, Gusher, Wilson, Similar, and Pandini, with Tranquil Star thirteenth, Great Britain sixteenth, Skipton seventeenth, and Hestia last. The time was 3.33’,. The first half mile took 52secs, and the last half mile 55secs. THE OAKS:— EAST END, 8.5, (V. Hartney) .. 1 PHILANDER, 8.5, (H. Olsen) .. 2 REPLY PAID 8.5 (A. Breasley) .. 3

Won by one and a half lengths second four lengths away. There were thirteen starters. Time: