NIMBLEFOOT’S CUP

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIX, Issue 281, 12 November 1929, Page 3

NIMBLEFOOT’S CUP

"THE MOST AMAZING COINCIDENCE OF A DREAM IN THE HISTORY OF AUSTRALIAN RACING.’’ A TRAGIC ENDING. Nimblefoot’s 1870 Melbourne Cup provided the most amazing coincidence of a dream result in the history of Australian racing. For close on 60 years it has been repeated and recounted, yet it is still "news” for a hundred-odd papers each year of the Melbourne Cup. Walter Craig, of "Craig’s Hotel,” Ballarat, nominated Nimblefoot, who was bred in Tasmania, and was by Panic from Quickstep. The horse had never done anything to warrant nomination, not even on the track. Yet ho was paid up for and remained in. Handicapped at 6.0, he was not mentioned in the betting until one morning Craig came down to his diningroom while breakfast was on and announced that he had just awakened from a dream in which he had seen Nimblefoot win the Cup in his own colours. Then he added that the jockey had worn a black crepe armband. Bookmaker J. B. Slack led the laughter that greeted Craig’s dream, which, he said, was so vivid that it really was a vision, which he was certain would

come true. So convinced was the bookmaker of the folly of the thing that ho laid Mrs. Craig, who was alarmed at the armband part of the dream, £lOOO to a cigar that Nimblefoot would not win iu the circumstances mentioned.

Lap Dog was favourite for the Cup, while at least a dozen others went out well supported, in what appeared to be an open race. Nimblefoot was the rank outsider, despite the owner’s dream, which had already been partly fulfilled before the day of the race. Anyhow, Nimblefoot emerged from the ruck in the straight, and his brilliant sustained effort landed him a winner. For he snatched victory from Lap Dog almost on the post. Day, who rode Nimblefoot, wore a crepo armband out of respect to Walter Craig, who had died a couple of days prior to the race. So the dream was thus abundantly realised and immortalised.