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J , ! ; J j ! ; 1 i : t . ; . , ; I I i , j 1 ; . j f , , I . , r . . i " c , . ; . , f i HOW THE MELBOURNE CUP WAS WON. Dstails of the Running of the Race For the Worlds Richest Handicap. If I were asked to pick the three finest-looking horses included in the field, I should say that honor fell to Shepherd King, St. Spasa and Lingle, AVliile the smallest of the competitors Avere Wolari and Sasanof, the latter in particular being ponyish. Nor is there a great deal of Amata, Avhlcli, like the other tAvo, is immeasurably better than she looks. Car- lita stripped well, as did Torbane Avhieh had band- ages on botli forelegs, Juan Fernandez and The Christian Brother. In their preliminaries Shepherd King and Sasanof Avent down close together, and as they Avere pulling up the former completely hid the latter, so great AAas the difference in their size. Shepherd King is an exceptionally fine horse, and later should be valuable for stud purposes. There was little delay at the start, and as they passed the judges box the first time, Sunbury and Prince Bardolpli Avere leading from Agatlion, Amata, Stageland and Mafioso, AVliile the last four comprised Lingle, Wallalo. St. Spasa and Marculfus. At this stage I had a look to see how Wolaroi and Sasanof were faring. Each Avas right on the rail and, AVliile the former was twelfth or thirteenth. Sasanof Avas about four horses further back; and it Avas apparent that botli would be lucky if they escaped a little scrimmaging. Nor did they, both coining in for a little after leaving the straight, and the success of either appeared improbable Avlien the field neared the mile" pest. Prince Bardolpli Avent out Avitli the lead along the back, presumably with ti.o idea of winning in the same fashion as in the Sydney Cup, but lie was carrying a different Aveight. Prince Bardolpli continued to do the pacemaking, Avitli Sunbury, Stageland, Lucky Escape, Amata, Eastcourt, Agatlion, and Torbane all Avell placed, AVliile Sasanof and Wolaroi Avere both still a long Avay back, and even thus early it was apparent Quinologist could not Avin. At the five-eighths Stageland was up with Prince Bardolpli, others prominent being Lucky Escape, Eastcourt, Amata, Agatlion, and Shepherd King, AAhile here I noted Sasanof starting to rapidly improve his position, Prince Bardolpli Avenkened at the half-mile. Lucky Escape going on Avitli the running. Avhile the otlter possibilities at this stage included Shepherd King, Amata, and Green Cap. Coming around the bend Lucky Escape, on the rails, was slightly leading from Shepherd King and Sasanof on the outside, tiie most conspicuous of the others being Green Cap, Amata, Stageland and St. Spasa. As soon as heads Avere fairly turned for home Foley dashed his mount out in a fashion that caused someone behind mo to ejaculate "Sa-sanofs bolted!" Then Shepherd King came on, and though a furlong and a half from homo he caused Foley to get his AAiilp out, it Avas apparent u little further on that the favorite Avas done. So certain Avas the result of the Cup an eighth from home that a couple of Pressmen had handed in telegrams announcing Sasanofs success CAen before the horses had readied the Avinning-post. It Avas equally sure commencing the final eighth that unless Shepherd King fairly Avalked just at the end he Avould run second, and tiie finish for the Cup Avas unusually unexciting. The result Avas not one that benefited small backers, as the exaggerated reports as to Sasanofs lameness for Avhieh the joint owners Avere in nowise responsible put them off the little New Zealander. On the other hand, some prominent punters landed big stakes, one Melbournite having backed him heavily Avhen in Sydney for the Australian Jockey Club meeting. F. Foley handled the Avinner cooly. He did not come out from the rails until the opportunity oc- curred to better his position after going a mile, and it Avas not until about five-eighths from home that he got Sasanof up among the leading division. Although others hold different views, I think he did the right thing in shooting Sasanof right out as soon as lie turned into the straight. He gained an advantage that had to be Aviped out. When Shepherd King made his effort he momentarily looked like overhauling Sasanof. but he tired again without reaching the latter. The chances appeared all against Sasanofs success when half the journey was covered, and for hiv, size he is exceptionally good. Shortly before the race I met M. Ilobbs, who assured me Sasanof was quite right, and added: "Hell run the race of his life." St. Spasa and Lingle did Avell to finish so far forward, after being a long Avay back in the early stages. I fancy the owner of the latter Avould have preferred greater use being made of him in the first three-quarters, but in any case he could not have Avon. Wolaroi, Avhieh had no luck at all in i running, finished fifth, Avliile an outsider in Juan I Fernandez was also one of the first seven. Carlita made a good showing under her big Aveight, but though I saAV her make a forward move as soon as she turned into the straight, she never quite looked a possible place-gettor, and ran sixth. Lucky Es cape and Stageland did much better than generally anticipated, playing a prominent part for a mile and five-eighths. Eastcourt Avas also one of the leading division a half mile from home, but found the trip beyond him, as did Agatlion, Avhieh. how-. ever, was conspicuous nearly to the turn. Wallace Isinglass never got in it, and Quinologist, which was beaten long before the real business commenced, was one of the last three. Torbane ran out Avide entering the straight, but lie Avas in trouble at the time; Avhile though The Christian Brother bore out his trainers opinion that he Avouhl heat Eastcourt, he Avas a long way from the place getters. Bee Avas disappointing, failing to finish as far forward as Mafioso, Avhieh she easily beat on the training track. She was carried out by another runner entering the straight, but she was palpably beaten at the time. "Pilot" in Sydney Referee. Twenty-eight horses started, witli Shepherd King the favorite at 4. to 1, Avhile it Avas 12 to 1 against the Avinner and 50 to 1 against St. Spasa, the third horse. The two miles of the race Ave re covered in 3:27, and the net value of the race was S34.775. 1 i j 1 1 1 1 I I
