MELBOURNE CUP DAY

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 81, Issue 7273, 6 November 1950, Page 5

MELBOURNE CUP DAY

TO-MORROW’S BIG RACE BHUTAN MAY RUN PROMIINENTLY (By “ Old Rowley To-morrow is Melbourne Cup day, when Australia stops work for five or ten minutes until the race has been run and the winner has flashed across the fin. shing line. Wlill this year’s race prove as big a headache to the bookmakers in the Commonwealth as it did last year, when it 'was dubbed “ the Crazy Cup ” ? Remember ? Early coupling saw Carbon Copy and Vagabond in the limelight with operators standing to lose £300,000 over Vagabond until a debacle in the Mjooneee Valley Gold Cup saw the hot-pots down the gulley. No sooner had the shock of this been overcome than quotations saw, of all horses, the New Zealand galloper Royal Tan at the shortest odds until he galloped poorly in the Hotham Handicap, when he at once slipped back into obscurity. Comic Court was the next one to rise to favouritism, but was quickly displaced by Delta and Stamen, the former becoming the actual favourite on race day, with Comic Court and St.am.ene the only other runners at less than double figuresMuch Speculation

However, behind the scenes there was much speculation and uneasiness among the bookmakers, who combed their commitments and checked and dotfble checked to make sure they' were not; being subjected to a quick run-over by a betting ring. Came the day of the race, and although some sizeable bets were paid out, the win of Foxzami caused such a sigh of relief among the operators that they nearly blew the roof off the Flemington grandstand. Incidentally, there is the story of a Wiaikato layer of odds who quoted Foxzami at 66 to 1, and when his bluff was called proved game enough to take the money offered. It was reputed to have cost him a tidy threefigure sum, and it is to his everlasting credit that he paid without a murmur.

The race, run on a holding track, which is not unusual, was 7i seconds slower than the record of Rimfire, and was notable for the surprising bid of a seven-year-old, Hoyle, which had previously had a most undistingished career. Unlucky horse of the race was Eenvolo, which got into all the trouble it is possible for a horse in a big field, but once he struggled into the clear he revealed a dazzling burst of speed to reach third place. Benvolp is expected to face the starter to.-mor? row, and he will be ridden by leading horseman N. Seiwood, .who rode Grey Boots, winner of the Jast Caulfield Cup. Grey Boots Bad for Bookies There had evidently been some quick manipulation of the market before the Caulfield Cup, for after Grey Boots succeeded the bookmakers woke next morning to find they were faced with the biggest pay-out since the Amou-nis-lPhar Lap double in 1930, unless a very obscure outsider wins the Melbourne Cup, for the New Zealand-bred grey has been coupled with Playboy to win £300,000. Odds of 1500 to 1 were quoted for the Grey Boots-Play-boy double, 1000 to 1 Grey BootsSilver Buzz, and 800 to 1 Grey BootsSir Falcon.

It is not all a cry of “ Pay ! Pay ! ” however, for one leading Sydney bookmaker has backed the Grey BootsPlayboy double to win him £lOO,OOO, and won £30,000 when Grey Boots won the Caulfield Cup. So, you see, they get it coming and going ! Playboy is the ruling-favourite for the Melbourne Cup, Chiqhita, Saxony, Sir Falcon, Peerless Fox, Benvolo, and Silver Buzz also being strong fancies.

Bhutan, who quickly came to form when taken to Australia, and pleased keen followers by his fine performance in the W. S- Cox Plate, has not firmed into a pre-post consideration l of any magnitude, but there is quiet confidence emanating from quarters close to the stable, and he may be the one to upset calculations. Bhutan is by Bulandshar from S'ister Phil. SINGLE DIRECT IS COURIER SELECTION NEW ZEALAND CUP RACE TO-MORROW Despite being handicapped on 48 yards in the 1950 New Zealand Cup, against a big field, the Te Awamututrained Single Direct is expected to make a bold bid to win the big race at Addington to-morrow. Trials and track efforts during last week, although not to be taken as too reliable, certainly disappointed keen judges and Gough’s Pride, Attack, and Gantree have caused consternation among their supporters by poor efforts. Known to have capabilities, Doctor Ted has run well below expectations, to date, but his pre-race trainingefforts show him in form and if there is to be a surprise he may provide it. Of most danger to Single Direct will be Chamfer, acknowledged as a pacer of exceptional merit, being bracketed with Globe Direct (36 yards), this may ultimately prove the favourite with totalisator investors. Navigate, whose tendency to drift in the early stages of a race mitigate against his chances, is looking very well and putting plenty of dash into his work.

The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club wisely decided not to involve the Cup in the doubles couple-up and the Canterbury Handicap will be the first leg of the double. By his brilliant work durfng the week Young Charles is a very firm favourite for this race and provided he paces correctly the task of the opposition will prove difficult. Awadale, Islaburn Lass, and Culture (a better type than generally given credit), should be right in the call at the finish.

Selections for the day are:— • Introductory Handicap, limit 4 31, 2 miles: Hall Ace, Red Emperor, Laureldale. Spring Handicap, trotters, limit 3.46, 1 mile, 5 furlongs: Highland Kilt, Lillian Mac, Gey ' • Belwin.

Riccarton Stakes, 3-year-olds, 1$ miles: Vivanti,. Johnny Globe, Flagship. New Zealand Cup, limit 4.21, 2 miles: Single Direct, Chamfer-Globe Direct bracket, Attack. Canterbury Handicap, 4.28, 2 miles: Young Charles, Awadale, Culture. Sockburn Handicap, trotters, limit 2.51, 11 miles: . Ripcord, Fantom, Tatsydale Empire Handicap, limit 4.25, 2 miles: Parawa Derby, Mobile Globe, Gay Knight. Final Handicap, limit 2.48, H miles: Billy Boy, Scotch Drift, Josedale Audubon.