THE MELBOURNE CUP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20098, 8 November 1928, Page 16

THE MELBOURNE CUP.

STATESMAN'S EASY VICTORY.

BOOKMAKERS HARD MIT.

Australian and X.Z. Press Association MELBOURNE. Nov. 7

The Sydney Morning Herald's description of the race for the Melbourne Cup says; " Statesman's victory was assured two furlongs from home, where he took complete control from Strephon and he beat tho Victoria Derby winner by four lengths, wiili three lengths between Strephon and Deinost. " Tho cheers were deafening when States man headed Strephon and it looked all over. In the early part of the luce States man had a rear position and had to make up a lot of leeway. The crowd doubted the ability of tho horse to do it, but the fact th:it lie won so handsomely stamps him as a stayer entitled to rank with the best which have won this historic event

" Statesman is {i rich chestnut horse, bred by his owner-trainer, Mr. W Kelso, but has not a particularly impressive record threo wins, two seconds and two thirds—his winnings being £l'2.-37. He has not been over-raced and evidently stood his cup preparation satisfactorily. J. Munro. the rider of Statesman, added another big win to the tine record ho put up at the Australian Jockey Club's Spring Meeting last mouth.

" ft is computed that Statesman's success took a-quarter of a million from the ring. It goes all over Australia. Mr. Kelso had not had the pleasure of seeing his colours to the foro in the Melbourne Cup before " Demost ran a good race 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. Maplo was a disappointment. Oatendule ran a similar race to his Derby effort. He was in a forward position early,, but. also faded and finished about seventh. Textile, among others, was scratched on tho course. Tho Banker finished last. Canning Queen and Dion wero other prominent entries, but were not cpiito good enough. Balrnerino showed signs of congestion of the lungs after the race.

" The attendance was 103,000, hut 50,000 saw the big race from surrounding points of vantage oittsido tho courso. Tho heat and congestion were almost unbearable."

The Daily Telegraph says:—" Statesman pulled up as fresh as when the race began. Strephon showed the etTecta of his hard race

and extra weight. There was nothing remarkable in the time. The first mile occupied tin 43!5, which suited Statesman to a nicely." TilK WIIAN(iAT?KI MEETINTJ. TO-DAY'S EVENTS. The Whangarei Racing Club's Spring Meeting opens to-day, and with fine weather thero should be a good clay's sport at Kensington Park. The following is a list of the acceptances for the various events: SPRING PLATE. Of X 120: 6 fur. Envoy Fane (hvairaka Viburnum Fancy Hoy Cynique Lucklaino Furoro Mussie F'.cheton Snowdrift Sunny Morn St. Ames. Valuation

UK VIEW OF THE FIELDS. BY ARCHER. Some promising novices figure in the Spring Plate and wagering on the event should be reasonably good. Latest form suggests Fancy Boy and Envoy as likely to be dangerous, but Owairuka. Mussio, St. Ames a lid Lucklaine are also possibilities. Backers will probably follow form and give most support to Fancy Boy and Envoy A fair field will contest the Kensington Hack Handicap. The topweiglit. Vallar, is ii: great heart and should require a deal of beating. There are several speedy ones among the others, including Air King. Mosque. Abbey Queen. Segment and Exalted. Vallar is likely to start favourite and there may also bo backing for Abbey Queen and Segment.

A moderate field will contest the Huanui Hack Hurdles. Mangani has been racing well ami I'ipon Abbey is another with recent winning form. Clockwork is the best seasoned of the others, although Wenday has had a little previous experience and is handily weighted. Form points to Ripoti Abbey and Mangani and they are likely I.e most in demand.

'[ here are .seven ncreptors for t ho Whanga--I.j fun and they are likely to provide an interesting contest. On lecent runnirig Papain. Mint Leaf and Desert CI low will be expected to account for the others, though Thnrsby and Sleepy Sol might he possihilities. Taking tlio nature of the course iind other circumstances into consideration, (linkers may he inclined to favour I'aputu and Desert Glow. Very little is known regarding the condilion of the candidates for the County Handicap, and for that reason it is a difficult race. To Monunui is outstanding in the weak clans, but is reported to have done very little work. Therefore (hero may be an inclination to look clsewhero for the winner. Exalted, Kitwainga and furore have had recent racing and that should be in their favour. Kildeer is reported to be very well and -is a speedy beginner. Backers may fancy Kildeer, Exalted and Kawaiiißa. There will bo a small field in the Hiku nuigi Hack Handicap, and Hombarder, who lias lieen working freely, may start favourite Another small field is carded for the Manilla Handicap ami it is probable that Awarere and Tea Time will receive most attention from backers. Awarere may be the actual favourite. 11l tlio event of Sleepy Sol. who is also engaged in the Whangarei Cup. being rc veived fur the Pariihaki Handicap, ho will lie strongly fancied. In his absence Aunrolus and The Thorn may Im> Unpopular fancies.

KENSINGTON HACK HANDICAP, Of X' 110: 6 fur. st.. lb. sf. 11). Vallar . . . . 9 0 Exalled . , . 7 5 Ill i ng;i r . . . 8 11 Michael . . . 7 0 ilune Heke . . 8 8 Turn . . . . 7 0 Air King . . 8 8 Camp Prince 7 0 Mosque . . . 8 8 Sulla . . . , . 7 0 Abbey Queen S 0 L'rothblower . 7 0 Segment . . . 7 11 HI"AN 1*1 HACK HURDLES. Of £1(')5: 11 miles 197yds. st. lb. Ft. lb. Mangani 11 7 Mangaiti . 9 0 Ifirinn Abbey 10 4 Lord Abbey . 9 n Clockwork 9 11 .lust Quietly , . 9 0 Wen <1 ay . . 0 8 Miss Alma . 9 0 Muslioor . . . a :i WHANG ARE! CUP. Of X500 and Gold Cur> of tbo value of £50: li miles at,. 11). Bt. lb. Mint Loaf . . 8 5 Transformer . 7 I Desert Glow . 7 11 Siaosi . . . , , 7 0 Tluirsby . . . 7 G Sleepy Sol . , . 7 0 L'apatu . . 7 6 COUNTY HANDICAP. Of £123: G fur. st. lb. si. lb. To Monartui . It 10 Turn . . . . , 7 H Risht and Left 8 12 Michael . . 7 r> Fiery Lad . . 8 8 Suiinv Morn •7 n Exalted . . . 8 2 Gazerin . . 7 0 Kildeer . . . 8 2 Viburnum 0 (llcnetta . . . 8 2 Furore . . . 0 Kaiwanga 8 2 Blue Bonnet 7 0 HIKURANGT HACK. Of i' 110: 7 fur. St. lb. St. lb. Tllincnr . . . 8 4 Secment . . . 7 4 Mosque . 8 1 Brampton . . 7 1 0 Bombarder 7 11 Naseock . . . 7 MANAIA HANDICAP. Of ±"2.i0: fi fur. Bt. lb. Ft . lb. A \v a re re . . D 4 Ballymoy IT. 7 0 Oration . . . 8 0 Sprang . . . . 7 0 Tea Time . . 7 12 PARAFTAKI HANDICAP. Of A' 150: 1 mile. st. lb. Ft. lb. Scat . . i . 9 <i Wen day . 8 5 Sleepy Sol 9 2 Baby Bun 8 2 A11 ricnliia . . . 8 0 Mas. O'Uorko 8 2 The Thorn . . 8 5