A GREAT STAYER

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 292, 7 November 1928, Page 7

A GREAT STAYER

STATESMAN’S FINISHING WIN.

RACE FOR THE MELBOURNE CUP

COMMENT ON HISTORIC EVENT,

(United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

, Received November 7, 10.10 a.m SYDNEY, Nov. 7. The Sydney Morning Herald’s description of the Melbourne Cup says: “Statesman’s victory was assured two furlongs from home, where he took complete control from the Victoria Derby winner, Strephon, and gained the verdict by four lengths, with three lengths between Strephon and Demost. ‘'The Cheers were deafening when Statesman headed Strephon; it then looked all over. In the early part of the race Statesman had held a rear position, and he had to make up a lot of leeway. The crowd doubted the ability of the horse to do it, but .the fact that he won so handsomely stamps him as a stayer who is entitled to rank with the best which have won this historic event.

“Statesman is a rich chestnut horse, and was bred by the owner-trainer, Mr IV. Kelso. But he has not a particularly impressive record—three wins, two seconds and two thirds, his stake earnings being £12,237. Ho has not, however,, been overraeed, and evidently he stood the Cup preparation satisfactorily. “J. Munro, tho jockey, has thus added another big win to his illustrous Spring A.J.C. record. The same jockey rode Windbag in his Cup vic-tory-in 1925.

“Balmerino showed signs of congestion of the lungs after the race. “Statesman’s success took £250,000 from the-ring, but it is distributed all over Australia. Mr Kelso had not previously had the pleasure of seeing liis colours to the fore in the Melbourne Cup. He was very cordially congratulated by his Sydney friends. HUGE CROWD SEE THE RACE.

Continuing, the Herald states: “Demost ran a good raco and was always third or fourth, but was very distressed at the finish.

“Winalot did only fairly.' Epilogue had a handy position, *but faded away. Maple was a disappointment. Oatendale ran a similar race to his Derby effort. Ho was in a forward position early, but he also faded and finished about seventh. Textile, among others, was scratched on the course. The Banker finished last. Canning Queen and Dion were other prominent entries, but they were not quite good enough. The attendance was 105,000, but 50,000 saw the big raco from surrounding points of vantage outside the course. The heat and congestion were almost unbearable.”

HARD RACE FOR STREPHON

The Daily Telegraph says: “Statesman pulled up as fresh as when the race began. Strephon showed the efforts of the hard race and tho extra weight he carried. There was nothing remarkable about the time, tho first mile occupying 1.43 f, which suited Statesman to a nicety.”