MELBOURNE CUP.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3036, 5 November 1908, Page 7

MELBOURNE CUP.

BRILLIANT ASSEMBLAGE AT FLEMINGTON. THE RACE DESCRIBED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Received November 4, 9.45 a.m. MELBOURNE, November 4., The weather was ominous in the but turned out cool and pleasant with bright sunshine. A -brilliant assemblage confirmed Flemington's reputation on its carnival day. The Cup race was full of disappointments. Horses with performances that had been the talk of sports for weeks past vanished in the straight, and no public favourite called for those terrific bursts of cheering that such victories evoke. But notwithstanding that the hero of the day was a comparatively friendless horse, his brilliant win produced genuine applause. The start was a good one. As the field came into the course proper, Dyed Garments came down as the result of a collision with Emir. v The pace, very solid, was set by Jack Smith, and i.fc told its tale •along the back stretch near the Abattoirs, but in the run home a graat battle commenced. Delaware piloted his field round the bend, and as they neared the home turn Peru and Lady Wilc'e dropped back, while Mooltan, Alawa and Lord Nolan followed Delaware into the straight. When in a line for the judge's box Mooltan cut down Delaware, and as >he did so the victory of the Metropolitan winner was loudly anticipated; but ere the distance had been reached Lord Nolan came on with a brilliant run, and just inside that point was upsides with Mooltan, upon whom the weight was beginning to tell. A few strides further on Lord Nolan had the measure of Mooltac. But just as it seemed as though the colt would score con.fortably an easy victory, Tulkeroo came on with a full head of steam, while Delaware was at •the head of the others, gradually closdng up. the gap. Inside the half distance, v Tulkeroo, who appeared to swerve slightly in towards the colt, •got almost on terms a few strides from the post, where Godby tried to straighten his mount, and the pair flashed past the judge's line of vision with the colt in front by a very narrow margin. It was a great finish, in which the honours were decidedly with Tulkeroo, who ran a great race. Delaware, who struggled on, passed the wearied-out Mooltan, and secured third money. Alawa and Peru shaped most disappointingly. This much fancied pair moved up into good position within half a mile of the post, but, though, all was plain sailing, neither showed the slightest dash or brilliancy when called upon to finish. Delaware ran much better than was anticipated, but Sir Aymer, of whom at one time great things were expected, never flattered his party. Mooltan had the worst luck of any horse in this year's Cup. Delaware had the top weight pinned on the rails and kept him there for half a furlong. Had Mooltan got a clean ruu at the citical moment it might have, made all the difference. To make matters worse Mooltan was galloped on in the race, and had a coronet cut. He shows signs of serious lameness.

Seldom in an important race have two horses come home ao tired as did Lord Nolan and Tulkeroo. and both riders were completely exhausted.