THE MELBOURNE CUP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 431, 27 October 1898, Page 13

THE MELBOURNE CUP.

[By

The Rambler.]

It is perhaps a great boast, nevertheless it is a fairly justifiable one. when I say that with the exception of the English Derby there is no event competed for in the world which creates more interest than does the Melbourne Cup, which is of course the leading item in the programme of the Victoria Racing Club. Wherever the English language is spoken the Melbourne Cup can be heard of, and few, if any, of those good old sports who in 1861 promoted the initial event of the name ever in their wildest dreams had any idea that the Cup would become world famous. In 1861 the Flemington course was but in its infancy, and from year to year “ improvement” has been the main word with the V.R.C., and now that body has the pleasure of knowing that their racecourse cannot be excelled in any part of the world. This is saying a great deal, but even the conservative English sportsmen who have in recent years visited the colonies admit the excellence of the Flemington course.

The event to be decided on Tuesday next will make the thirty-eighth contest lor the muchcoveted prize, and though, perhaps, the interest, this year is nothing like that of Carbine’s year (1890), it is still very great In 1861 and 1862 the Cup was won by Ettienne de Mestre, of New South Wales, with a great horse, in his day, called Archer, by William Tell —Maid of the Oaks, and this horse was ridden on each occasion by a crr.ck horseman, Johnny Cutts. On the first occasion Archer’s weight was 9.7, and in the second win his weight was 10.2. The time in 1861 was 3min 52sec, and in 1862 3min 47sec. Tom Lamond, now one of Australia’s premier trainers, and Mayor of the Borough of Waterloo, near Sydney, was in charge of Archer on each of bis successful trips. In 1863 Banker, by Boiardo —Jeanette, carried 5.4, and the colors of Mr J. Harper, to victory in 3min 44sec. Banker was, if memory serves me rightly, ridden by Harry Chiffney, since a recognised trainer, and father of the wellknown jockey, Horace Dawes. Chiffuey was but an assumed name. The rose and black colors of Mr Hurtle Fisher were to the fore in ’64 by the aid of Lantern, by Muucavado —Nigh light. Lantern, like Banker, was a three year-old, and carried 6.3. He was ridden by the late Bam Davis, or, as “ the boys” used in those days to call him, “ Jewey” Davis. Davis in his day was a great horseman, and though many hard things were said of him during his career, his loyalty to Messrs Hurtle and C. B. Fisher was always a bright spot in his career. William Filgate, senr., named the winner.

The Melbourne Cup of 1865 will ever be remembered by the writer, as iff was my first Cap. In this event Panic, the imported horse, whose blood flows through the veins of some of Australia’s best horses, was weighted at 10.0, and he was ridden by my esteemed friend, the late Joseph Morrison' father of H. J. Morrison, head jockey for Mr W. R. Wilson. Poor Joe thought he had a good thing that year, but he was doomed to disappointment, as Mr J. Marshall’s aged grey, Toryboy, by Wollaton —Fair Ellen, carrying 7.0, scored the victory, Panic being in the second place. Toryboy was ridden by Paddy Cavanagh, and the time was 3min 44sec. A famous horse scored in 1866, none other than Mr John Tait’s black colt, The Barb, three years old, who, with 6.11, which included 21b overweight, simply romped home in 3mm 43sec. Sam Davis, I think, rode the “ black demon,” who was by Sir Hercules —Young Gulnare. What memories, to be sure, are called up by The Barb’s name ! From 6.11 he went on winning until he carried 10.8 t > victory in the Sydney Cup of 1869. When his racing career was over, and he was purchased by Mr Charles Reynolds (father of Frank and Sid) for the Tocal Stud, John Tait remarked. “ There he goes, and no man knows how good he is.” Joe Thompson, the celebrated bookmaker, heard the remark, and with the quickness for which he was noted, he replied, “ Yes, the black ——, he broke me twice, and I wish be was never foaled.” Handsome Tim Whiffler, by New Warri r— Cinderella, carried George Donnelly and the “ all black” of Etty de Mestre to the fore In 1867, his weight being 8.11 (including a penalty of 31b) and time recorded was 3min 39sec. Tim hiffler was a great racehorse, and the bitties he had with The Barb will ever be remembered by oldtimers. The yellow and black banner of John. Tait was in front in 1868 by the aid of the chestnut Glencoe, by Lord of the Hills —Queen of Clubs, his weight being 9.1 (including 31b penalty). Ho was ridden by Charley Stanley, now a publican in New South Wales, and the time recorded was 3min 42sec. A prominent member of the Victorian ring, Austin Saqui, won the event of 1869 with a gelding named Warrior, by New Warrior —Annie Laurie, who, ridden by Joe Morrison, cut out the distance in 3min 40sec with 8.10 in the saddle.

The seventies were ushered in by the victory of the Tasmanian bred Nimblefoot, by Panic — Quickstep, who, with 6.3 (including 31b penalty), cast the two miles aside in the then unheard of time of 3min 37sec. He was ridden by a youngster named John Day, who afterwards made a name for himself in the “ walking world.” Nimblefoot was, at the time of his nomination, owned by Mr Walter Craig, an hotelkeeper of Ballarat. Craig unfortunately died a short time before the big event was run. A few weeks before he died he dreamt that Nimblefoot won the cup, and that the jockey wore a crape band on his arm. Telling his wife of the dream next morning he said, “ Nimblefootiwill win the Cup, but I will not be alive to see it.” This dream, it will be seen, came true. Mrs Craig, who was a real good sport, happened one night to mention the dream in the presence of some prominent members of the ring. At this time the lady had a fancy for Billy Winch’s Croydon in the Metropolitan Stakes, and as if to pooh-pooh the idea of the dream coming off, one of the “ bookies ” laid Mrs Craig £lOOO to four cigars about the double, Croydon and Nimblefoot, and the double came off. In Nimblefoot’s year James Wilson, sen., served up a red-hot favorite in the South Australian bred Lapdog, but he was.beaten by a head, with Valentine, a Mitta Mitta bred horse, third. The Cups of 1871 and 1872 fell to the lot of “ Honest” John Tait, the former being won by The Pearl, by New Warrior—lda, who, with 7.3 (including 31b penalty),and ridden by Paddy Cavanagh, ran the journey in 3min 37see, which time was equalled by his stable mate in ’72. The Quack was by Peter Wilkins—Quickstep (dam of Nimblefoot), and he, including a 31b penalty, carried 7.10. The Quapk was ridden by Billy Enderson, one of the best all round horsemen ever seen in this or any other clime. The Pearl’s win was a great surprise, not only to the public, but also to bis owner and trainer. Pyrrhus was the stable horse, and The Pearl went out at 100 to 1. The places were filled by The Pearl,' Romula, and Irish King. In 1873 James Wilson, sen., caused a sensation by winning with Don Juan, by Lucifer—Levity. Ridden by Willie Wilson and carrying 6.12 he spreadeagled his field, and put up 3min 36sec. This was one of “old Jimmy’s” good things, and Joe Ihomp-. son (then being the stable commissioner) threw in for a immense stake

The blue jacket of the Chirnsides led the way in ’74 through Haricot, a flying gelding by Ladykirk —Saucepan, trained by Sam Harding, the weight being 6.7 (including 31b penalty) and the jockey Paddy Piggott, a champion horseman of ' his day. The time was 3min 37£sec. A good old “son of the sea” in John Cleeland carried off the event of ’75 by the victory of Wollomai, by Ace of Clubs —Fleur de Lis, who, with 7.8 and Bob Batty handling the reins, got home in front of a big field in 3min 38seci Two famous horses in Richmond and Goldsbrough filled the other places. Batty was in his day a champion horseman, and he now trains with a fair amount of success at Mordialloc (Vic.) Another of “ old Jimmy Wilson’s ” good things came to light in 1876 through Briseis, by Tim Whifiier (imp.)—Musidora, with Sybil, by Tim Whifller (imp.)—Jessica, second, and Timothy, by Tim Whifiier (Australian)— Lady, third. Briseis, a three-year-old, carried 6.12 and was ridden by St. Albans, whose proper name was, however, Peter Bowden, and whose death we recently recorded. Briseis at this meeting won the Derby, Oaks, and, I think, Produce Stakes. The year 1877 introduced the colors of the late Hon. James White to the public of Victoria, when that wonderfully good horse, Chester, carried off the prize and also a considerable amount of cash from the ringmen, Joe Thompson alone losing one bet of £lO,OOO. Chester was trained by Etty de Mestre, and as all turfmen know, was by Yattendon—Ladj Chester (imp). He had previously won the V.R.C Derby, and was ridden by Paddy Piggott. His weight was 6.12, and the time 3min 31|sec. It was a memorable race, as Jas. Wilson, aenr., brought out Mr Herbert Power’s wonderful little fellow, Savanaka, by Kingston Sappho, and their party would not hear of defeat. Chester, however, won by a head, but one stride past the post “ Sav.” was in front. A horse named The King fell in the race, and interfered greatly with the little grey, who most certainly should have won. With one of his own breeding Etty tre scored again in ’7B, the hero being Calamia, by Maribyrnong — Luna, whose weight was 8.2. Ridden by Tom Brown (now trainer for the Hon. W. A. Long), the two miles were covered in 3min 36fsec.

The Cup of 1879 went to Tasmania through the efforts of the Victorian bred Darriwell, by Tim Whifller (imp.) —Norna, who beat Sweetmeat, Suwarrow, and a big field in 3min 30:}sec. The winner carried 7.4, and was trained by Mr W. E. Dakin and ridden by Sammy Cracknell (“the man with the whiskers”). Mr W. A. Guesdon, an aucti< neer in Hobart, was Darriwell’s owner. Mr Dakin also had the New Zealander, Le Loup, in the race, and preferred his chance to - ' that of Darriwell, but Cracknell, who had the ehoiceof mounts, elected to ride the latter. Sammy subsequently would very much have liked to have ridden Sweetmeat, but he was held to his engagement on the despised Darriwell, whose wo k on the training track principally consisted in bis bringing Le Loup home in the last six furlongs of his two mile gallops. Tom Rawlings, now private trainer for Mr W. Pearson, was on the Maorilander. This was a heavy bet- / ting race, the Victorians planking the dollars down with a will for Suwarrow and Le Loup, whilst the Sydneyites swore by Sweetmeat and’ Secund us, the latter carrying to; s of money. The horse that was never beaten, carried off the honors in 1880, this being the famous Grand Flaneur, by Yattendon —First. Lady, in the white and black livery of the lion. W. A. Long. Tn the race under notice Tom Hales, Australia’s premier jockey, had the mount, and he rode 6 12. The distance was cut out in 3inin 34|-ec. This was Hales’ only victory in a Melbourne Cup. Grand Flaneur was followed heme by Progress, with a big field at their heels, including the hew Zealander, Mata, of whose performance many un charitable things were said. Progress was decidedly unlucky in having to met such a horse as the winner. Poor Bill Branch would have given the Ring a severe fall that day had Progress been able to hoist No. 1. In 1881 Tom Lamond took down Wheat ear and Zulu, and he looked with great favor on the chances of the former, and Zulu going lame, was on the day sent buck to the 100 to 1 division, and no takers at that. During the race Wheatear fell over a dog, and to the surprise of owner, trainer and public, the despised outsider, Zulu, got home in front of another cripple, The Czar, with the consistent Sweetmeat next. Zulu was owned by Mr C. McDonald, of the Manning River, and was ridden by the nowfamous horseman, James Gough. His weight, including a penalty of 31b, was 5.10, and his breeding was by Barbarian—Maiden Blush, whilst the time was 3min 32|s=ee. The result was a Godsend for the metallicians. The Cup of 1882 was run in a heavy storm, and was won by J. E. Saville’s Assyrian, by Countryman — Tinfinder, who carried 7.13 (including 31b penalty), his followers being the Tasmanian bred Stockwell and Gudarz. The time was 3min 40sec and the jockey C. Hutchins. De M> stre ran two in this event, Sweet William (Hales) and Gudarz. The former carried heaps of money, and Mr Hurtle Fisher had Gudarz running for £50,000. This was a wager of £5O 000 to £250 laid by Miller, JonCs, and O’Brien about, the double, Navigator for the Derby and Gudarz for the Cup. Auckland would doubtless be in great glee over the Cup of 1883, for was it not won by Martini-Henri, the famous son of Musket and Silvia. Ridden by Jack Williamson, and carrying 7 5, Martini cut out the distance in 3min 30£sec. He was owned by the Hon. James White, and trained by the late M. Fennelly, one of the best of good f< Hows. The ring received a heavy blow, but bad First Water, who ran second, got home greater trouble would have followed ns the little chestnut had been backed for the heaviest stake ever known in the colonies, whist good old Commotion, who >• ran third, was also heavily backed. Malua, by St Albans—Edella, owned by Mr J. O Inglis and trained by wily Isaac Fouleham, ~ carried 9s 91b to the front in ’B4, he being fol—lowed home by the late Hon. William Pearson’s pair, Plausible and Commotion, in the fast time

of 3min Alick Robertson was the “ man on top,” and he could handle the hairy fetlocked bay to a nicety. Foulsham is without doubt one of the most astute trainers living, and I can with confidence assert that Mr Inglis is one of the most astute of owners. Small wonder, then, that the “astute pair” smote the ring hip and thigh. Many readers of these notes w ill remember that Mr Pearson backed Plausible, ridden by Murphy, for a heavy stake, and also that Teddy Power, on Commot on, was blamed for steadying Commotion so allow Plausible to come up. Another Tas-manian-bred one in Sheet Anchor, by St. Albans —Queen Mary, got home in 1885, with Grace Darling and Trenton in the places. There was a brilliant field this year, and carrying 7st 111 b and that sterling horseman Mick O’Brien, Sheet Anchor covered the distance in 3min 29|sec. The winner was trained by Tommy Wilson at Ballarat, and was owned by the late Martin Loughlin, who threw in for a heavy stake, one bet being £lOOOO to £5OO, laid by Humphrey Oxenham the night prior to the race. Mr William Gannon and his trainer, Harry Raynor, carried off the honors of 18S6, by the aid of Arsenal, by Goldsbrough —Powder, with Trenton and Silvermine, two great horses, in the places. Arsenal carried 7st 51b, and was ridden by W. English, afterwards a hurdle race rider of note in N.S.W., and the time recorded was 3min 31sec. This race may be said to have caused the burst up of the leviathan bookmaking firm of Miller, Jones, and O’Brien, who overlaid the winner to a heavy amount. The heaviest betting on the race was done by the present leader of the ring, H. Oxenham, who laid an enormous amount of money against Trenton, Silvermine, and Trident, whilst Arsenal also was none too good for him. Dunlop, by Neckersgat — Etta, in the colors of Mr R. Donovan and piloted by Tommy Sanders, carried < ff the pool in 1887, his weight being Bst 31b. He was followed home by Silvermine, The Australian Peer, Abercorn, and Niagara, in the order named, the time being 3min 28|sec. Meteor, a Wilson trained horse, started a red-hot favorite in this race. John Nicholson trained Dunlop.

The famous magpie colors of Mr Donald Wallace were in front in 1888. by the aid of Mentor, by Swiveller —Nightmare (dam of La Tosco, 1 reamlard, etc.), his weight being Bst 31b, and the time 3min 30jsec. Mick O’Brien rode the winner, who was trained by Walter Hickenbbtham. The followers of|the stable gave the ring a nasty shock over this race. Ballarat scored thje victory in 1889, when Bravo, by Grand Flaneur —The Orphan, carried the black and yellow diamonds of Mr W. T. Jones home in front of-Carbine and Melos, in 3min 32.}sec. The winner carried Bst 71b, and was trained by Tommy Wilson and ridden by J. Anwin. Carbine, then four years old, had lOst in the saddle, or 31bs more than his famous son Amberite will carry at the same age on Tuesday next. Bravo was reported lame, and outside prices were freely lajd, one bookmaker, Laurence Zucker by name, dealing with the horse in reckless fashion. Result, Zucker went broke and ended his days in a lunatic asylum. (The most sensational of all Melbourne Cups was that decided in 1890, when the mighty Carbide, by Musket — Mersey, carried the thumping impost of lOst 51b home in front of Highborn and Cotreze, and a brilliant lot of others, in the wonderful time of 3min R. Rammage had the mount, and the scene when he brought Carbide back to the weighing yard to be received by his] popular owner (Mr D. 8. Wallace) beggars all jdescription. People went fairly mad (men and women alke) the owner and his trainer (Walter Hickenbothara) being simply rushed by hand-shakes and congratulations. It was a great victory and an imposing sight; one, in fact, never to be forgotten by those who witnessed it. What a drubbing the ringmen got, to be sure ! Many of them have never recovered to this day. The performances of Highborn and Correze in after years show what a wonderful horse “ Old Jack ” was. ' Highborn carried in the race 6st 81b, receiving from the winner no less than 531 b, yet from that out Highborn went on winning, carrying 9st 51b to victory at the finish, such races as the V.R.C. Australian Cup (9st), A. J.C. Anniversary Handicap, and A.J.C. Sydney Cup being won by him. What a pity a series of match< s were not arranged between Carbine and Abercorn at w.f.a.! Such contests wouhi have been worth a bare-footed pilgrimage to witness.

Malvolio, by Malua —Madoap, carried 8.4 and Mr James Redfearn’s colors to victory in ’9l, with Sir William, Strathmore, and Highborn hie immediate followers. The genial Yorkshireman bred the winnner, who was also trained by him, and was ridden by his own son George; therefore, it was a pure Redfearn victory. The time was 3min 29|sec. Though not begrudged, I cannot help thinking the victory a lucky one, as Jack Fielder, who rode Sir William, had a short time previously broken his collar-bone, and was necessarily a bit weak. So close was the finish that the jockeys, Redfearn and Fielder, saved a “ pony ” as they returned to the weighing yard. Then again Strathmore, one of the best colts ever in St. Alban’s stables, was very unlucky in the race, as also was Highborn. Amidst a fearfully heavy storm Glenloth carried the ex-New Zealand trainer’s (M. Carmody) colors to victory in ’92, his followers in the places being Ronda and Penance, both of whom were trained by Mr William Forrester; Glenloth, by Glenmarkie — The Gem, carried 7.13 and was ridden by G. Robson, the time being 3min 36:jsec, Tarcoola (8.4) upset a great St. Alban’s pot in 1893. The Wilson parly had won the Derby with Carnage, and the Cup looked like good business, especially as they had Toby Moran in the saddle, but he could only get second to ilie son of Newminster —lmogene, whilst The Jeweller, upon whom Harris had ridden one of his worst races, was close up third, and the time was 3min 30i-see. Patron scored for Mr F. W. Purchas in 1894, and the son of Grand Flaneur —Olga carried the thumping impost of 9 3, and, with Horace Dawes

as pilot, cast the distance behind in 3min 31sec, with the unlucky Devon and Nada in the placesPatron’s full-brother, Ruenalf, was a red-hot favorite, whilst the winner went out at 100 to 3. Patron is now doing stud duty at the famous Cobham Stud Farm in England. He was always an honest horse, and perhaps the only man on the course vho was not surprised on the day of his Cup victory was his trainer, W. Bradfield. South Australia claimed a victory in 1895 through Mr David James’ brilliant threeyear old filly Auraria, by Trenton—Aura. The sister to Aurum was trained by John Hill and ridden by J. Stevenson, whilst her weight was 7.4 and the time 3min 29sec. Hova, the brilliant son of Tngomar, was second, and Burrabari third. The winner is a beautiful mare, and this season visits Mr W. R. Wilson’s imported horse. Bill of Portland. The flying machine, Newhaven, made hacks of a brilliant field in ’96, the son of Newminster— Oceana (a three-year-old) having no less than 7.13 in the saddle; yet he cast the two miles behind in 3min 28isec, and won with his mouth open. He was owned by Messrs Wm. Cooper and J. W. Jones, trained by Walter’ Hickenbotham, and ridden by H. J. Gardiner, his immediate followers being Bloodshot and The Skipper. Newhaven is now in England, where his performances have been very disappointing, but if ever he strikes form John Bull and Co. will know to their cost what a brilliant horse he is. Last year’s Cup will long be remembered, because it enabled Mr William Forrester to run first and second with two full brothers, viz., Gaulus and The Grafter, whilst the brilliant Aurum, with o welter weight for a three-year-old, carried 8.6 into third place. Gaulus and The Grafter are by Gozo (imp.) —lndustry, a New Zealand bred.mare by Musket from Pearlash. Gaulus was ridden by S. Cal Jinan, and carried 7.8, the time being 3min 31sec. The popularity of the Warwick Farm owner and trainer was soon made evident by the cheering all over the course, whilst from all parts of Australia came congratulations to their old friend “ Black Bill.”

Of w’inning owners Messrs J. Harper (Banker), J. Marshall (Toryboy), John Tait (The Barb, Glencoe, The Pearl, and The Quack), Andrew and Thomas Chirnside (Haricot), Austin Saqui (Warrior), John Cleland (Wollonjjfii), James White (Chester and Martini-Henri), and M. Loughlin (Sheet Anchor), have gone on the long, long journey. Of the trainers Messrs John Tait, Joe Morrison (Warrior), William Felgate, and M. Fenr elly (Martini-Henri) have also left the busy scene, and of winning jockeys Johnny Cutts (Archer), Kavanagh (Toryboy and The Pearl), 8. Davis (Lantern and The Barb), G. Donnelly (Tim Whifller), Joe Morrison (Warrior) W. Endersen (The Quack), Willie Wilson (Don Juan),P. Bowden (Briseis), A.Robertson (Malua), M. O’Brien (Sheet Anchor and Mentor), and W. English (Arsenal) are no longer amongst us.