Comic Court Aided Bookmakers With His Melbourne Cup Win

Wanganui Chronicle, 9 November 1950, Page 3

Comic Court Aided Bookmakers With His Melbourne Cup Win

MELBOURNE, Nov. 8 (Recd. 6.30 pm).—Comic Court, winner of the Melbourne Cup, has now won £41,142 in stakes. He is in fifth place on the list of great Australian stake-winners. The time for the Cup, 3.19 J, is an Australasian record. Comic Court was a fortunate winner for bookmakers, as his success relieved them from heavy liabilities. Had Alister, Playboy or Chicquit a scored they would have faced a payout of £250,000. The Grey Boots and Comic Court double had been worked for about £70,000, which was easily financed by bookmakers. After his failure in the Caulfield Cup Comic Court dropped to 100 to 1, and even on the day before the race he was quoted as 50 to 1. An Adelaide punter who has been a consistent supporter of Comic Court won more than £20,000 over his win, and a Melbourne punter won more than £15,000. G. Moore, who won his first race in Melbourne on Commentator in the Railway Highweight, broke his collarbone when Indian Chief fell in the Melbourne Cup. Moore is a leading Sydney jockey and recently rode with success in America. The apprentice H. McKenzie, rider of Gold Bar, which fell over Indian Chief, suffered a probable fracture of the skull and a broken collarbone. He is in a serious condition in the St. Vincent’s Hospital. Alister, firm favourite for the Cup, I received two bad checks during the race which greatly affected his chance.

He nearly fell early and was again ■ interfered with when Indian Chief and Gold Bar fell in the straight. Most racegoers expected Purtell to ride Alister two or three pounds overweight. However, by strenuous exer- 4 cise and a light saddle and clothing he rode the colt at his correct weight. When this became known there was a rush to back him on the course and he firmed to 3 to 1. When Powerscourt, sire of Comic Court, was retired from racing no one wanted him as a sire. One breeder refused to accept him as a gift. Comic Court s win puts Powerscourt at the I head of the winning sires this season.