AUSTRALIAN RACING.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIII, Issue 7356, 2 November 1898, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN RACING.

(pee united press association.) Received November 2. at 0.25 a.m.

Melbourne, November 2,

The influx of visitors from the colonies for the Cup this year has not been equalled since Carbine's year. It is an open question whether the course presented a bigger or a better-dressed crowd. The Grafter's victary was immensely popular. No win was ever better received at Flemington. Many thousands on the flat combined in a great roar as The Grafter passed the post in front of Wait-a-Bit, who for once in his life ran honestly, the cheer being taken up by those on the hill, and in the grandstand enclosure the noise was almost deafening as the Roman-nosed Gozo gelding, all unconscious of his great display, went down the passage to the weighing yard. Mr Forrester, who is The Grafter's sole owner, despite all reports to the contrary, was literally besieged, and it was some time before he succeeded in extricating himself from the kind attentions of the crowd. Alfred Josephs, the wellknown rirgman, says that it was undoubtedly the worst day the ring had had for 30 yearß, and presumably it must be the best the public have had in the same period. All the double books, both Caulfield and Melbourne Cup 3 and Oerby and Cnp, have been struck, says the " Leviathan," and the winner carried perhaps as much money straight out as any horse in the race. Still a mere lavman, before wasting his sympathy on the ring, reflects that there were many popular favorites in the race, notably A3 assinissa and Clarion, the latter of whom came down to a very short price as the money continued to pour on to him.

The big field was got into line punctual to time, and the crowd was then densest. As the horses passed the stand for the first time the 50-to-l-ehance War God was prominent, and right round the course he improved his position, until, as the field turned into the straight, the roar which arose seemed to indicate that he was the winner. At the distance, however, he was done with, and Cocos came to the front. He looked dangerous, but The Grafter tackled and beat him, leading him down the straight amidst tremendoas enthusiasm and finished an exciting race half a neck ahead of Wait-a-Blt. Undoubtedly Wait-a-Bit was nnfortunate racing into the straieht, and there are many who aver that but for jostling he must have won. Clarion was never dangerous. He stumbled badly six furlongs after the start, putting him out of the race. Only once was MassiniEsa seen and then but for a moment as the home turn commenced. Merloolas was in hopeless trouble quite six furlongs away. Plutus ran a good horse. Gough says that after passing the distance post he felt be had the race in hand. Wait-a-Bit; threw out a determined chal'enge the last few strides but The Grafter wa? travelling so well that he felt little or no anxiety. As to the alleged fouling Gough said that he never saw Wait-a-Bit after passing him.

Josephs states that his liabi ities on the two Cnps are L 25.000. The los3sa of other bookmakers are proportionate. Received November 2, at 1.15 a.m. Melbourne, November 2.

The Argus quotes Clarion favorite at the last moment at 5 to 1, Massiniss*. 7 to 1, The Grafter Bto 1. The attendance is estimated at 70,000. The railway leturns show 23,370 passengers from Spencer street, representing L 5963, an increase of 3267 passengers and L 1717 over last year. There was the largest attendance fcr six years. Received November 2, at 1.25 p.m. Melbourne, November 2.

Wait-a-Bit lost the Cup through getting blocked between Cocos and The Grafter below the distance, necessitating Fielder pulling np on the outside of the latter. Catlman, the rider of Clarion, states that he was fearfully bumped all through the race.

W. Redfern, rider of Massinissa, states that the horse kept banging throughout, and finally stopped altogether. Alf. Josephs, the bookmaker, states confidently that Mr Forrester, owner of The Grafter and The Chief, would have won twelve time the amount he did had The Chief come in first.

"The Count " gives much the same tale, while admitting that the victory of 1 oogford, owned by his partner, Mr Oxenham, wonld have brought the thick end of i 60.000 to the firm. The winnings are distributed pretty generally throughout Australasia. Outside of the Cup the bookmakers experienced a most disistrous day. Elusiuian was off hia feed since Saturday, and was consequently scratched. Rosebery jarred his leg in the Melbourne Stakes, which filled, and his owner deemed it advisable to pull him out of the Cup contest rather than run the risk of a breakdown

Foulsham says that Massinissa, though looking well, was decidedly amiss the last few days. Mr Forrester owns The Grafter having offered the breeder, Mr J. R. Smith, of Tucka Tucka, LIOOO for him after he finished second to Gaulus in the last year's Cup. Mr Smith replied "as you have made him what he is you can have him for L 500." A lighted match carelessly thrown down ignited the muslin dress of a lady, who luckily escaped with nothing worse than a completely ruined garment yesterday. This was the minimum crime record.