MELBOURNE CUP WINNER.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16878, 5 November 1925, Page 8

MELBOURNE CUP WINNER.

THE STORY OP WINDBAG. The success of Windbag in the greatest handicap of the colonial turf revives the oft-told tale of 'how he was purchased by., Mr lan Duncan for 150 guineas on behalf of Mr F. Earl, K.C., of Auckland, and being thought too small ever to make a racehorse was put back into the ring again to, be re-sold. It is not generally known, however, that his present owner, Mr Robert Miller, also thought’little of him, Mr Miller was not present when Windbag as a yearling became his property, but when he ■ saw him in his box later he exclaimed : “Fancy * buying that bandylegged thing for me.” The “bandylegged thing” has proved one of the greatest racehorses of the time, and a rare bargain. It is claimed tor him that he is the greatest horse since Carbine, but lie has not yet won a Melbourne Cup under the welter weight of 10.5, .which stands to the credit of “Old Jack.” However, his admirers have now, in liis Melbourne Cup victory, following upon his outstanding Ranelwick performances, good grounds on which to argue his claims as against the good horses, of the past. Mr Robert Miller, owner of Windbag, is undoubtedly o'rie of Fortune’s favorites. He won over £IO,OOO in stakes last season, and at the recent A.J.C. carnival his horses won £9883. With the big stake in the Melbourne Cup now added he is thus early in the season in a very enviable position. After seeing Windbag at. Itandivick, the Melbourne writer “Cardigan” Avrote as follows in the Australasian : “I think Melbourne racing men will he a little disappointed concerning his appearance, but little notice should bo taken of his peculiar walk. ’ He shuffles along, and I think it is this fact that has caused so many rumors to go the rounds concerning his condition. He has been broken down, or rather on the verge, more than any horse I can remember, but as he still keeps on winning his admirers have little cause to worry.' Windbag has often been described as a big horse. He is nothing of the kind, although he is not small. He is of medium size, and his redeeming features, apart from his wonderful galloping ability, are bis very beautiful head and neck. His forehead is wide, and it has gameness written all over it. His neck is vpry powerfully developed, and when the time comes for him to go to the stud he should develop into a stallion of good quality. Four years old, with over Aveight-for-age in the saddle, he may find the Melbourne Cup a very hard race to win, hut. Windbag is quite out of the ordinary, and Avhere Rtvoli failed lie might suc- . peed. He is just as good a stayer as Rivoli, and has very much more brilliance. This fact will help him in a large field, and he should never he in trouble. He gathers speed very quickly, and is one of those horses who can, travel any pace. In this respect, he is like Eurythmic, av)k> could he ridden witly a thread of cotton."