MELBOURNE CUP CROWD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 264, 8 November 1945, Page 6

MELBOURNE CUP CROWD

RECORD “TOTE” TURNOVER

Reed. 6 p.m. Melbourne, Nov. 7 Though the Melbourne Cup crowd of 105,000 was 15,000 short of the 1926 record, the amount put through the totalisator, £232,688, was an all-time record for Australia. The totalisator turnover on the Melbourne Cup, £67,786, was the largest in the history of the race.

At frequent intervals during the afternoon, punters were told through loud speakers that the Victory Loan (the extended closing date of which is Saturday) was stilj several millions short.

Rainbird started in the race mainly because of a side wager between her owner, Mr. Cliff Reid, and his brother. Mr. Malcolm Reid. Cliff Reid wagered that Rainbird would beat his brother's horse Grampian, which finished fourth to last. Rainbird is only the sixth mare to win the cup in the 84 years it has been run, and the fourth in the last. 50 years. Some claim thst Rainbird is the greatest mare to win the cup. She had the easiest win of her sex', and her time was three seconds faster than the previous best time by a mare, that being Rivette’s 3.27 in 1939.

With a second in the Metropolitan and a second in the Melbourne Cup, Silver Link is the unlucky horse of the spring racing campaign. Silver Link took fright and faltered when Rainbird ran up to him a furlong from the post, but he had no chance against the winner.

The Caulfield Cup winner, St. Fairy, had every chance and was fairly beaten.