THE MELBOURNE CUP.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5621, 16 November 1889, Page 3

THE MELBOURNE CUP.

The following description of the race is extracted from the Argus : —

The horses did not give Mr Watson much trouble at the post, and he soon had them formed into a line, Carbine, Carrington, Melos, and Bravo being near the inside rails, while Dunkeld was on the extreme outside, with Pakeha, Cardigan, and Rudolph as his neighbors. After a couple of slight breaks away, Mr Watson seized the right moment, and sent them off to one of the beat starts that could be made. They all went off, almost exactly in a line, Tinlander being the only one to lose a little ground, while no horse gained any perceptible advantage. For half a furlong there was no leader, but as they entered into the course proper, they had got into their places, and Oakff^igh was slightly in advance of the front row, which was composed of Rudolph, Singapore, Antceus, Knight of the Garter, and Prince Consort in the centre, with Chetwyud, Melos, and Carrington next the inside rails. Chicago, Bluenose, and Cardigan were the three last to get proparly going, and they had taken up positions at the rear of the field. Past the judge's box C*rrington led the. field, his nearest attendant being Prince Consort, with Rudolph and Richelieu together next. Then came Antaeus, Dunkeld, Bravo, and Melos, all in close company. These were followed by Menotti, Chicago, Benzon, and Carbine, who were only a few lengths ahead of Cardigan and Bluenose, this pair being conspicuous in the I rear as the field swept round the turn away from the straight. The most noticeable points which the thousands of gazers had time to take in as the horses went past them was that Carbine had taken a place much nearer the rear than front, and that Benzon and Chicago were also far back from the leaders. For a moment as the horses went round the turn, which is the sharpest one on the Flemitigton course, there was nothing to be seen through the dust they raised but tails and heels, but aa they got to the river side stretch they presented a broadside view, which was only obstructed by the unbroken line of people who were permitted to stand on the boundary fence. Carrington led the field, being two lengths ahead of Antous, next to whom were Prince Consort and Melos. Dunkeld was next, being attended by Rudolph and Bravo, who were about in the centre of the .field. Then came Singapore, Chetwynd, Carbine, and Tinlander, while Cardigan and Bluenose were last, the latter being two lengths off behind Cardigan. They passed the mile and a quarter post, which is on the river side, with Carrington still in the lead, Antffius and Prince Corsort being next. Prince Consort was going a little faster than Antteus, and was soon almost on even terms with Carrington, whilst amongst their immediate following were Richelieu, Dunkeld, Rudolph, and Melos. All the horses continued to run in very close company, and there were not more fhan 20 or 30 lengths between Carrington

who whs leading, and Bluenosc, who was lust. When they got as far as the turn opposite the bridge, where the course leads towards the abattoirs, Camngton still lead them, having Dunkeld and Prince Conso.t close behind him, with Rudolph, Antfeus. and Bravo holding good positions behind, The pace wns fast, but it was not fast enough for Dunkeld, who went past the leader, .and proceeded to cut out the running himself, Prince Consort still holding his position of second as they passed the seven furlongs post. Here Carrington began to drop back, and Rudolph occupied third place, with Carrington and Antaeus next to him. In the centre of the field were Melos, Bravo, and Chicago, with Richelieu next, and then came Chetwyncl, Singapore, and Carbine, while Cardigan and Bluenose were still running last. At this point Benzon was improving his position, and was racing on the outside of his field. Bluenose also began to draw up amongst the horses as they came round the far turn opposite the abattoirs. As they turned Chetwyncl showed in front with Dunkeld, the last named taking second place, Antaeus and Rudolph being in the same positions as they held throughout the journey. Prince Consort was in attendance on them, and Oakleigh was prominent close up, while Benzon on the outside was beside him, and was beginning to look dangerous. Just behind came [ Bravo, Pakeha, and Carbine, Menotti holding a place beside the top weight. As they came along past the training sheds, Dunkeld again took the lead from Chefcwynd, who, however, remained with him for another furlong, and Benzon, on the outside, became more prominent, while Antseus, with Rudolph, held his place just behind. Bravo was still in the centre of the field, about seventh, and Carbine was behind him, while Melos and Chicago were close. Racing towards the turn into the straight, Chicago came on the outside, and Carbine nlso began to get nearer the leaders. Dunkeld held the lead just clear of his field as they passed the halfmile post, Chetwynd being second, with Benzon on his girths. Carbine, near tho rails, was next, and Bravo followed him. Dunkeld retired as they got to the turn in the straight, and when their heads wore fairly turned for home, Chicago, Rudolph," Melos, and Benzon were in front, with Antaeus, Prince Consort, Carbine, and Bravo close behind. They raced towards the distance, and the excited spectators looked in vain for one horse having a clear advantage over others. As they came near the distance post, Carbine, on the inside rails, went to the front and Prince Consort, who was beside him, Melos, and Antceus were all close up, and apparently had a chance of winning. Carbine was a length ahead of Chicago and Melos as they got within the distance post but at this point Bravo, shot out with a fine run, and, catching Carbine 150 yards from the winning post, he at once drew past, and, despite O'Brien's efforts on Carbine and the game finish of the horse, ■ Bravo passed the post a winner by a length. A length and a half away was Melos in third place, with Pakeha, two lengths away, fourth,' Prince Consort fifth, Chicago sixth, Cardigan seventh, Dunkeld eighth, Menotti ninth. Pakeha, Prince Consort, and Chicago were almost on even terms, and the others finished up well together, with Singapore, Bluenose, Knight of the Garter, and Oakleigh in the rear of the field. Time, 3m. 32|s. Value of the stake, L 5720.