Untitled

Chronicle (Levin), 6 November 1947, Page 8

SYDNEY, Nov. 5. Eemarkable mishaps involving all three placegetters in the Melbourne Cup made the race one of the most sensational on record, says the tnrf editor of the Sydney Herald. J. Pivrtell rode the gallant Hiraji for 10 furlongs with a slipping saddle; the diminutive colt, Presh Boy, struck' the rails three furlongs from home; and Red Fury twisted a plate, prohahly early in the race. Presh Boy's rider, the apprentice, Eames, said the niishap made all the difference to his chance, but whether the misfortunes balaneed out to produce the true 'result will remain a matter for argument. Aecording to the Sydney Telegraph racing correspondent, Eames 's use of the whip on Fresh Eoy a fnrlong from home iost the race. The owner, Mr. •J. Ryan, said after the race that if Eames had ridden the horse out with hands and heels instead of hitting him the' colt would have beaten Hiraji. Fresh Boy jumped- when cut with the whip and darted from outside of Hiraji to graze the inner rail. 'When straightened up he gained one and a-half lengths on the grey. Iveen observers say the fact that Purtell's saddle slipped may have been a blessing in disguise. Purtell usually rides a waiting race, but iinding the saddle loose at the mile he had let Hiraji go at his own speed. A totai distance of 50 feet in recentmonths has seperated Hiraji from stake winnings of £15,000. Had he won the raees in which he was placed, including I the Doomben £10,000, the Doomben I Cup, the King's Cup and the Caulfield Cup, his owner, Mi. F. W. Ilughes, would have been £15,000 richer. But Hiraji would have had more than 7.11 on liis back in. the .Melbourne Cup, which would have made the result even eloser. Mr. Hughes, who is 78 years of age, and who was present at all Hiraji 's defeats, was prevented by lll-health from making the trip to JMelbourne. it was Mr. Hughes's third big handicap sueeess, as his horses have w.on the Metropolitan twice. A message from Hobart says that the prineipal prizes in two consultations of £50,000 eaeh hel:l on the Melbourne Cup went to New Zealand. In half and quarter shares £75,000 out of the lirst prizes alone will cross the Tasman. The drawers of horses were not notitieu until after the race. The sponsors of the consultations would not release the names of the New Zealand winners because it is illegal for people to send money from the Dominion for overseas consultations. In the first eonsultation half a tic'ket of £25,000 is held by a Parapararaumu syndicate, a c^uarter tieket of £12,500 by another New Zealand syndicate, and a quarter tieket by two residents of Yarraville (Victoria). Half a winning tieket in the second eonsultation is lield by a woman resident of Hawera, a quarter by a resident of Kaikoura (Canterbury), and a quarter by a man in Northcote (Victoria).