THE CAULFIELD CUP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1489, 7 November 1918, Page 9

THE CAULFIELD CUP.

KING OFFA’S WONDERFUL RACE.

Special interest was attached to the Caulfield Cup, run last month at Caulfield, in view of the fact that the favourite, King Offa, who carried off honours in brilliant style, was to all intents a lame horse. The first news that he had shown signs of lameness seems to have been conveyed to several bookmakers in Melbourne by watchers of the work at Fleming on,

and early in the morning they hurried to town to take advantage of whatever might happen in the Cup wagering. His price gradually lengthened, there being few eager to accept the long odds offered regarding the prospects of the son of Radium, who prior to his reported lameness had been a firm favourite in the market for a number of weeks. And what a wonderful race this lame horse put up (remarks the Melbourne correspondent of the Sydney “Sun” in describing the race). Left nearly last five furlongs from home, he ran through the field as if they were so many donkeys, and catching Wolaroi in the straight, beat that high-class performer in almost hollow style. It was a most impressive performance, and the great crowd gathered at Caulfield, instead of taking umbrage because this new champion had been reported lame, putting many thousands of them off backing him, cheered him to the echo as he passed

the post, and again when he returned to the weighing enclosure. It was a great triumph for the horse and all connected with him. The trouble which led to the sensational drift in the betting the previous day was serious enough, but with perseverance the trainer saved the horse from a breakdown, and making a rapid recovery, the animal rose superior to the lameness, which remained as an aftermath of the more serious trouble, and won like a true racehorse.

Racegoers made a move in the direction of the course long before the hour of starting, for the purpose of inspecting King Offa, the Cup favourite, and in consequence the early trains were crowded. When the first trainload arrived King Offa was being ridden round the exercise ring in the paddock by a light boy. He did not appear to be in a serious condition. The only fault apparent to the average horse-fancier was the way he put his near foreleg to the ground. He used that limb gingerly, as if it were sore. Good judges inspected the horse, and the majority expressed satisfaction with his appearance. “That horse is all right,” and “He will shake off his soreness when he warms up to his race,” were the remarks made, and many who had big bets about him were much more reassured than they were the previous day, when the rumours were so ominous. King Offa continued to walk round the little circle in the paddock for some time, evidently with the idea of preventing him from getting cold and stiff in the defective quarter. R. Bradfield, the trainer, gave it out that he thought the horse would be able to run almost, if not quite, as well in the Cup as if the trouble had not arisen.

As the day wore on the supporters of the favourite became more confident, and by the time betting ceased he was installed a firm favourite for the event.

When the 'field lined up at the barrier the favourite had a place in the middle of the field, while Wolaroi was about fourth from the outside. Wolaroi jumped off smartly and ran to the front, with Eurobin, to get a good position round the first turn. King Offa in the meantime took up a handy position about fifth, going very comfortably. Eurobin continued to pilot the field down the back, while Wolaroi was always handy, with Hispania and Major Bill prominent. At the half-mile the order of the leaders was practically the same, but backers of the favourite were on anything but good terms with themselves, for King Offa, having met with interference from beaten horses, had fallen back to the rear, with only two horses behind him. At the turn, however, he dashed through, and in a trice was just behind the pacemaker. It was just as if the field opened up for him, for he got through without hindrance on the rails.

At the top of the straight Wolaroi went to the front, and made his run. McLachlan kept the rails, and made the favourite go round him. Despite this disadvantage, he quickly ranged up alongside Wolaroi, and in a moment the latter was struggling. McLachlan drew the whip to Wolaroi, but it was of no. avail. King Offa lobbed past the Sydney horse as if he stood still. Wolaroi continued to battle it out gamely, but King Offa was going very easily, and won by three-quarters of a length. King Offa was bought as a two-year-old in England for £2OO, but did not race in the Old Country. He is by Radium (sire of Rebus) from Officious, by Isinglass from Meddlesome, oy Stagien from Busybody, by Petrarcn King. He is trained by Richard Bradfield, who prepared Chrome, the run-ner-up in this race last year. Frank Bullock, who rode the winner, was warmly congratulated by his fellow horsemein, the riders in the race being among the first. Bullock stated that he had a very fair ride, but got into trouble a few times through beaten horses falling back on him. At the top of the hill Speedy Gleam came back on him. He followed .the leaders down the railway side, and got a very fair run round the turn into the straight. He always felt that he had the race won, and King Offa responded splendidly.