THE RACE FOR THE MELBOURNE CUP.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1186, 23 November 1894, Page 23

THE RACE FOR THE MELBOURNE CUP.

“The lot were soon down at the post, where the starting machine was erected. It was also used for the other starts, and - gave every satisfaction. It was a minute .

of suspense just before the start. Carnage or Nada played up in the centre and created a gap. Pilot Boy was near the rails, and so at intervals were Paris, Malachite and Dreamland. On the outside was Euenalf, Moran being determined there should be no hindrance at the start. At 10 minutes past 4 the barrier flew up, and the first race for a Melbourne Cup ever started by the machine commenced. As usual, when the gong sounded there was a great shout of ‘ They’re off!’ and a level line of horses could be seen in the distance galloping down the straight. As they came nearer it could easily be seen Moran, on the favourite, had a good position in front, and had Euenalf well in hand. As they flashed past the stand Euenalf was prominent in front and pulling double, and a murmur could be heard, ‘ Look at the favourite ! See. how well he goes ! The race must be all over!’ But an excited crowd forgets a Melbourne Cup is not won. the first time past the judge’s box. It is the second run past that does the trick. Away went Euenalf round the bend, with Dreamland, Taranaki, Bruin, Malachite and Nada all well up, Port Admiral and Patron being in the rear. There was very little change in the order all along the back, as Euenalf could be seen in front, with Dreamland going well beside him. Then came Taranaki, iEolus, Newman, Paris, Malachite and Nada. At the abattoirs Euenalf still had such a good lead that his thousands of admirers became jubilant, and it was loudly proclaimed on. all sides how well the favourite was going. He certainly looked to have a mortgage on the race. As they rounded the top bend the black jacket and red sash of Dreamland was still close up, and the big-striding-Taranaki was going well. Mr Wilson’s colours were prominent on Nada, and Paris and Devon, Bruin and iEolus were going well, while Patron had worked, hi* way through the field at a great pace. There was terrific excitement, as Euenalf came round the bend with the lead, and Moran still at ease on him. It then looked as though the greatest favourite ever known was going to get heme, almost from start

to finish. Down the famous straight they came with a long tail in the rear as usual, and the rider of Port Admiral throughout the journey had a good view of the race. The thunder of their hoofs could now be heard as the 28 horses tore along. It is this sound that makes the hearts of thousands palpitate with those varied sensations only experienced towards the end of a great race. There is no other excitement in the world like it. It is the excitement that has been pent up for months suddenly allowed to escape as the dull thud of the Melbourne Cup horses’ hoofs proclaim that in a few seconds the race will be over. Ruenalf still leads! The favourite will win, and there will be a procession of backers to claim the spoils of the bookmakers. It looks for one moment as if Moran was again on Carnage as in the last Cup, when shouts proclaimed his victory. ‘ Ruenalf wins in a walk!’ * The favourite canters in !’ Not yet. There’s many a slip betwixt the Cup and the favourite’s win. Not yet! Still, it looked it. Up came Devon’s green jacket and closed upon the brown and gold. Ruenalf was on the rails. The green jacket, the same that flashed up to Paris in the Caulfield Cup, was level with that of the favourite. A roar from the ci*owd,/Devon wins!’ ‘No; the favourite wins easily!’ Then a dead silence for the space of a moment —a mere tick of the watch. ‘ Where’s the favourite ?’ _ A growl of rage from the backers proclaimed he had been knocked back. Then the ringmen yelled for joy. Devon would win, and they would scoop the pool. But what is this creeping up on the outside ? What is this dark jacket with the small red seams ? What is the chestnut putting in a brilliant run ? It is Patron swooping down on Devon ! It is the horse that Ruenalf beat easily in the Melbourne Stakes, and people can hardly believe their eyes. Then, as the horse is recognised, up goes the cry, and is echoed ‘over the hills and far away.’ * Patron wins ! Patron wins !’ is the cry that astonishes thousands. It is a great race ; a desperate finish. Devon is contesting every inch of the ground, as he did in the Caulfield Cup. At last it was all over. The dark jacket beat the bright green, and Patron was proclaimed the winner of the Cup by three-parts of a length from Devon, with Nada a neck away third. Then came Bruin and Paris, with Chesterman seventh, and the favourite tenth.

“Dawes, who rode Patron, was greatly excited, and in response to the vigorous cheers of the crowd, waved his hat wildly and reeled back in the saddle. He had ridden a great race, and deserved the praise. “Ruenalf was knocked on the rails in the straight, and a complaint was lodged by his owner against Robson, the rider of Devon, for interference. There must have been something to make Ruenalf go back so suddenly, and it is a thousand pities he had not a clear run. He failed, however, just where I fancied he would—at the critical moment. Paris ran a great horse, and so did Nada.” —“ Verax,” in the Sydney Referee.