RACE FOR THE MELBOURNE CUP.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 891, 23 November 1871, Page 2

RACE FOR THE MELBOURNE CUP.

(From the " Age.") Once more! The old story told again ! The Melbourne Cup has been won by an outsider, and the bookmakers are hugging themselves with glee. Pearl, despised, despicable, and forgotten, has bowled over the fancied Wilson stable, the great Crusader, the renowned Little Dick, and all the rest of the cracks together. Not in such remarkable fast time either. It did not equal the Nimblefoot, but it was just as good as Tim Whiffler's. But then it was to be done, according to the prophets, in 3miu. 36sec. It is amusing, now the thing is over and done with for nine months, to think how those who know have been sold. Pyrrhus was the horse of the stable—the money was on him; and The Pearl had tender feet. That was the last information with which the public were favoured. Out in the morning, under pelting rains and cut by pitiless winds, the touts had been out, but they had never seen The Pearl. He hadu't galloped, as far as they knew. Either he was a somnolent horse and kept his box till the fancy ones had gone home for their siesta, or he was tired out with the bird which catches the worm. If he did do anything it was a slow gallop on the tan, or a canter on the onter course. Never a one saw him extended. Even in the Hotham Handicap he ran a .beaten horse, defeated by Saladin, The Baron, and Bylong. Perhaps the distance wasn't long enough. But still the fact remains. John Tait, whose day everybody said was past, repeated his Barb coup, and won with the black and yellow ("not the yellow and black this time) almost as he pleased. It is true that Eomula ran a game mare, but it was evident that by the time she reached the post the steel had been fully taken out of her, while the dark horse that started with 100 to 1 begging against him could have gone on for another mile or so and then needed no whip. Betting: 3 to 1 Eomula, 5 to 1 Cleolite, 6 to 1 Lapdog, 7 to 1 Little Dick, 10 to 1 Pyrrhus, 10 to 1 Saladin, 13 to 1 Mermaid, 25 to 1 Valentine. 25 to 1 Barbelle, 100 to 1 The Pearl, 100 to 1 The Irish King. There was very little delay in getting the twenty-three horses together. All were at the post before the hour named for starting, and when the flag fell the lot at once got into motion, coming up the straight in cavalry order. The leading division comprised The Pearl, The Baron, Barbelle, Saladin, Aruma, and Praetor, these being in a line as nearly as possible—if anything The Pearl already having a slight advantage—the last horse.being Bylong. The next lot contained Little Dick, Warrior, Pyrrhus, Irish King, Eomula, Cleolite, The Monk, and Lord of Lynne. When the first turn had been made Barbelle assumed the premiership being closply pressed by The Pearl, Saladin, Araifia, and Baron. Here The Monk broke down, faltered and fell, the Lord of Lynne tumbling over him. Pyrrhus now came from the midst of the second division, and joined the leading horses. Before reaching the mile-post Saladin bad got to the fore being closely pressed by The Pearl, and thus they passed the sheds, Aruma, Baron, Pyrrhus, Irish

King, Eoraula, Little Dick, and Mermaid still being at a convenient distance. Barbelle, Aruma, Pyrrhus, and The Baron each in succession fell off beaten, and the field became reduced to a very select number. At the last turn Saladiu gave way to The Pearl, and Romula, Irish King,- and Little Dick each passed Pyrrhus. The Pearl still held on his way, being chased by Romula up the straight, Saladin third, Irish King and Little Dick being the next two. Approaching the stand Little Dick was beaten, and the Irish King left him. The Pearl, however, was never caught, and won by a clear length, Irish King .passing Saladin and taking third place. Little Dick and Mermaid were the next to pass the post, nothing else persevering to the end. Time, 3miu 39sec. A protest was entered by the rider of liomula against the rider of The Pearl for striking his horse across the head, but after a patient inquiry it was dismissed.