THE MELBOURNE CUP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 329, 12 November 1896, Page 9

THE MELBOURNE CUP.

“ Umpire,” in the Sydney Referee, thus describes the Melbourne Cup :-r-“ The track was in splendid order, and offered no excuse for the defeated horses. After the three preliminary races people began to take up positions from which to view the race, and to scan the favourites as they galloped past in their preliminary spins. When Newhaven appeared, going along with a Carbinelike disinclination to put any life into his movements, there was a cheer expressive of the admiration the Australian people have for a good specimen of the thoroughbred, The Officer, Lord Grenville, and Sabretache were missing, the former because he had developed lameness, and one of his legs had filled ; but twenty-five of the best handicap horses that could be mustered for the greatest race of the year were collected. Very little fault could be found with any of them as regarded condition, excepting Miraculum, who was lame, and evidently had a very forlorn hope. Hopscotch was as majestic as over, and it was strange how so many stood him despite his Caulfield failure. Marusa is anything but a taking animal to look at, but he is a fine galloper. Devon was a popular eleventh hour fancy, and al!three of the St. Albans horses had suppotters, Resolute commanding the majority. When it was known that. Trentham wus to try and cut out the running many invested on him in the hope he would live out the journey. Damien’s appearance evoked admiration, and The Skipper was never so well qualified to run a great race. Closely packed lines of people formed a living avenue down which the race began. Behind the barrier Hopscotch, Dreamland, and Devon were ■on the inside, with Bloodshot and Disfigured on the outer wing, while Resolute and The Merry Boy were in the centre, and Newhaven nearer the outside. After shifting about a little the leaders were Dreamland, Preston, Devon and The Chevalier, but Charge, Canoona, Newhaven, Resolute, Duhallow and Trentham were all . conspicuous. Gardiner was waiting his chance to move the favourite through an opening and take the lead. He got it below the distance, and the crack dashed to the head of affairs without effort. As he passed the stand, reaching out. for more liberty, he was three lenghts ahead, and galloping with ease. Canoona, Dreamland and Preston followed, then Trentham, Resolute and Devon, the former being ridden for the front berth ineffectually. Damien, Charge, The Chevalier and Marusa had room to act in excellent positions, and the ruck pressed on, with the infirm Miraculum done for already. Newhaven’s coat glistened in the sunlight as he swung round the river bend alone, with Gardiners black and yellow diamonds motionless as

the wearer hung steadily on to the champion’s reius. There was a four lengths’ gap before Canoona came in his wake, clear of Resolute, Dreamland, Preston, Trentham and Damien. The green jacket of Devon was conspicuous along the river side, and two of the St. Albans horses were up, Trentham racing hard to try and get into the company of the brilliant leader without much prospect of success. Canoona dropped back a little at the bridge, where Damion, Preston, The Chevalier, Marusa and Hopscotch were still near enough. Stretching out for the abattoirs Dreamland deposed Resolute, and Devon was keeping up bravely, clear of Canoona, Charge, Reka, Marusa and Trentham, the rear berths being occupied by Disfigured and Miraculum. In making the sheds Newhaven, stretching out with no apparent effort, increased his advantage. Resolute was being ridden and passed Dretfmland, but the gap increased until it was nearly ten lengths. After passing the sheds the pursuing contingent made a few changes, but none of them drew on the flying leader. Resolute kept gamely on, attended by Trentham, Dreamland, Bloodshot, Devon, The Skipper, and Reka, but they were all hard at it. As the crowd of people obscured the view until rounding the home turn a cry went up, “They have got him I” But immediately he was seen to be going along with nearly the same advantage. The first flight made a bold effort, and Newhaven may have heard them, for he went off again, and dashed in to the home line quite alone. The crowd sent up a roar, and began already to cheer. Power was riding Bloodshot desperately in the hopeless chase, and got. within about six lengths at the distance. Gardiner turned and had a look then, and giving the favourite a shake up, went off again. The Derby hero, with the same convincin'! stride, held hie advantage to the end, and passed the . judge going apparently as well as ever amidst a storm of applause and frantic waving of hats and umbrellas.