MELBOURNE CUP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8156, 2 November 1904, Page 2

MELBOURNE CUP.

«•■ : YESTERDAY'S RACE. A DETAILED DESCRIPTION. United Press Association — By Ekctria , Telegraph — Copyright. (Received November 2, 9.15 a.m.) MELBOURNE, November 2. The Government astronomer had predicted » hot day, and the prediction was ful» filled in a thoroughly convincing aaanner. As a social gathering the Cup was particularly brilliant, the dressing being superb. It was really too hot for effective promenading. Despite the great reaches of lawn and acres of stand accommodation, crushing was not altogether absent. Upon 'the hills tens of thousands jostled and stewed in the heat. From a sporting point of view, the day can be pronounced a success. The Cup did not fall to the favourite, but Acrasia was certainly not an outsider, and, at a nice price, earned a lot of publio money. Then the big race produced a struggle that ranks with its best traditions. The time was equal to Carbine's, which was the best on record for the race. Lord Cardigan was carrying the good wishes of many thousands, whose cheers were for the plucky horse. He led the field to the straight, and it seemed, for a moment, that the little hero of last year's (Melbourne and Sydney Cups would again triumph, but Acrasia slowly wore him down, and snatched a victory. Naturally, with so much money depending on- them, Wairiki, Tartan, Marmont and Lord Cardigan held the largest levees. Their respective owner* and trainers were very confident of victory. Wairiki came in for keen criticism, and the general opinion of the experts was that the horse, with such bad looking legs, , could not succeed in such company. He was one of the most infirm looking candidates that ever ran in Melbourne. The judgment of the critics proved correct, as the race had not been long under way when Wairiki, who wa« in the centre of the field, broke down, and a little later pulled up, his jockey dismounting. THE RACE. . (Received November 2, 9.20 a.m.) Ruenalf and Rhapsody were among the early beginners. With Marmont, Lord Fitzroy and Emir close up they made play for a mile and a furlong, and whenr the abattoirs were reached were still" in front, but Marmont, Emir, Lord! Fitzroy and Oasian, began to close on them. The two leaders shot their bolte soon after, and Marmont t Lord Fitzroy and Ossian were first to turn the home corner, the pace still being a cracker. When the straight was fairly entered! Ossian shot clean in front, and as he headed up the etraight was going so strongly that he 1 seemed to have the race won z but a little later Blinker drew' out aod tackled Mr Crick's horse and' had him beaten, in a few strides. At this point Lord Cardigan, who Had been drawing up gradually, made his I effort, while at the -same time Acrasia ! put in a brilliant run on the extreme outside, and when fairly abreast 'of the distance she and last years, winner drew level with Blinker. For a few strides the three ran locked together, but then the light weight told ite tale, and Acrasia, forging out, drew away inch by inch, and won a good race by three-quarters of a length, with Blinker, who cracked in the last few strides, , a similar distance away third. Mannonb gave his backers a good run for their money, but Tartan was at no time dangerous. . , THE CASUALTIES. . When Wairiki returned to .the paddock it was found that he had broken one of his shoulders, and was generally in a very bad way. Sojoumcr and Sylvan King pulkd up so lame that they are not likely to race again for a very considerable time. The failure of Tartan to run up to expectations is attributed to his having been interfered with by Sylvan King at the back of- the course. , THE BETTING. Mr Oxenham, the owner of Acrasia, had a £20,000 book on the. race. ■ ,