HOW HOVA LOST HIS CUP.

Otago Witness, 5 December 1900, Page 40

HOW HOVA LOST HIS CUP.

Mention of Hova's name in connection witk the recent sale of a Happy Land yearling makes one reminiscent, writes "Reginald." It has ever since been a puzzle to some people how a horse of Hova's exceptional class lost the Melbourne Cup under 8.10 with the nice clear run he got. James Hayes, who was on the beautiful bay's back that day, explains it this way. • The rider was blamed for making his run too early, and Hayes admits that he was out of his field rather soon, but it could hardly be helped. At that time Hopscotch had a great reputation, and it was not then known that he did not stay. Well, in that particular Cup Hopscotch came round the. last turn running over his field. Hayes, looking across from the inside, saw the dashing chestnut, with his head in his chest, as it were, and he thought it the wisest course to test him before it got too late. Accordingly, Hova was slipped along in front, and in a few strides Hopscotch collapsed. Then Hova was left by himself, and! home still a good way off. Hayes gave him every chance by sitting quietly on him, but Hova was not a stayer of the "stonewall" order, and when Auraria came at him his effort in smothering Hopscotch had left him pretty well out, though he fought on resolutely enough. If Hopscotch had not been in the field Hayes would, no doubt, have waited, and! won with one telling dash in sight or the judge, but the chestnut was looking bo dangerous at the top of the straight that he had perforce to "take him on." Another side of the story that should be mentioned, in justice to the filly that beat Hova is this. J". Stevenson, who rode Auraria, maintained that, if his mount had not been interfered '. with approaching the home corner, ther.© would never have-been much doubt about the _ result once the straight had been entered. That may be. But one is inclined to think, all the same, that if the two, Hova and Auraria, had made their final run simultaneously, the horse would have beaten, the filly. As it was, honours were pretty equally divided, and in making an excuse for Hova there is no desire on my part to discredit Aurawa, who was unquestionably one of the very best, and as true as steel. Since Hova left the scene thera has never been quite his successor amongst the "regulars" at Flemington. There was some argument a while ago about the record round of the sand at headquarters. The honour belongs to Hova, for he did the trip one morning in 2min 26£ sec. His memorable gallop, just before his defeat in the Melbourne Cup, was a- wonderful performance over a distance. On that occasion he travelled a mile and seven furlongs in 3min 25£ see, and, except for the first half mile, he was unaided. What is more, he carried 9.7 ! Hova one afternoon galloped the Australian Cup distance in 4min 12sec, withoxit any great exertion, and his best mile on the track was lmin 44-j.sec.