THE SYDNEY CUP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 36

THE SYDNEY CUP.

" Umpire " writes : Mr Tom Watson did not keep them long at the post, and so well together did they leave the barrier that a leader could not be picked out for a moment. Then it was seen that Idle Boy was in front, and he came round the turn into the straight clear of Alemene, Influenza, and Carronade. with Tawera last. Then Influenza went to the front and led past the stands, with Alemene, Idle Boy, Carronade, Macaenas, Filzroy, and Ailie as immediate attendants. Merloolas was in the centre of the cavalcade, and the, last three were Lee Metford, April Fool, and Tawera. Idle Boy deposed Influenza going out of the straight, and al the mile The Rock went up to dispute the lead. He then took charge,' and raced to the sheds in front, having then behind him Alemene, Carronade, Eustern King, Fitzroy, George Frederick, and Diffidence. So they went to the half-mile, where j Clarion was fast moving up. At the home turn Clarion was nearly on terms with The j Rock, and after turning into tho straight he dashed to the front with a rattle, taking a clear lead in a style which induced cries of " Clarion wins !" from the Leger patrons. Eastern King and Diffidence were following below the distance, and then all at once Diffidence set up a run. She passed Clarion, and came along with a lot of dash, making the Cup, after all, a one-horse race as she Faluted the judge a six-lengths' winner. Clarion was second, with X-Ray and Vocalist a neck behind him, Johansen, April Fool, and Crosslake following. Merloolas never showed his brilliancy at any part, and probably the weight in such a fast-run race found him out, the lime being 3min 31sec. ' Eastern King ran a good horse, but Lee ]\Jotford was never in it. North British was never prominent, but Johansen shaped fairly well. X-ltay made a respectable bid,- but The Rock found the journey too far, as did Carronade, who waa always well up, , whilst she lasted. Vocalist did well with his light! weight,, but the way' Diffidence disposed of them all was an eye-opener. She was well backed in the Doncaster Handicap, but never showed forward. Tho longer journey was a different matter, and Mr Hubert Power got ample satisfaction for that failure. He ■was very freely congratulated on the filly's success, and as he is an old and rcspecled Victorian sportsman, hia win was a popular one. Diffidence was bred by Mr George Lee. at ttathurst, being by Pilgrim's Proc;rep.s from Etra Weenie, by Trenton from Nellie, by ] Tim Whiffler from Sappho, by Sir Hercules, j She is not much more than about 14hds 2in. but is a good little one. Diffidence finished her preparation at Chipping Norton,' but as Carronade was the best backed one from that quarter, it is evident that the chances of the Cup candidates trained there were not accurately sized up. A somewhat similar incident happened when Patroness won, Quiver being heavily backed on the occasion.