THE MELBOURNE CUP.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1899, 6 November 1913, Page 4

THE MELBOURNE CUP.

A DISAPPOINTING RACE. By Teleeraph—Press Association—Gopyrisht Sydney, November 5. Commenting on the race for'tho Melbourne Cup tho "Sydney Daily Telegraph" says:—"A more disappointing result to a race of importance is not often witnessed. Sea Prince cotild scarcely have bettered his position. He was always on tho heels of Posinatus. When into tho straight, though Killorn called upon him, and he seemed to rospond, ho was unablo to go faster, and tho hopes 'of his' backers were shattered beforo the last furlong was entered. 'If Sea Prince was done with, it was not so with Belove and Diva's Isle; Both challenged Posinatus resolutely, and though for a few strides each one flattered its backers, neither could sustain tho effort. Posinatus, who seemed to revol in tho wot, kept on, though, if anything, Belove was going faster at the finish. Beragoon was tho prime disappointment. He was only eighth to leave the straight, but was fourth or fifth at tho home turn, going there under pressure, and hanging it out. Cagou was always well placed, but Undo Sam never got in the hunt. Harpist maintained tho pace from one end to the other without displaying any dash. Embracer succeeded in getting his name called at the home turn, where ho was just after Posinatus, Sea Prinee, and Belove. After that, tho field spread out in a _ manner which suggested a groat scarcity of stayers. It was a slow raee, but it must be remembered that for the first five furlongs tho performers wont into the teeth of a bitterly cold wind, anil had it against them for the last three furlongs. All tho pace was made in the last mile. For tho first half mile tho time was 5-iJsec., tho second half took 55Jsec. Then tho pace grew merry, and the third half was covered in 503 sec.,' and the last half-mile in 50jsec," Tho "Sydney Morning Herald" says: "The Cup field was an average ono as rogard quality, but a well-conditioned one. Slight showers had fallen intermittently from the time ' racing commenced. but just as tho Cup candidates began to leave the paddock a heavier downpour set in. However, before tho horses assembled at the barrier the wet conditions ceased, and the contest took place under a clear sky. Very little time was let waste ere the horses wore dispatched on their important mission on very good term*. When settled into their strides, Mountain Princess, prosska, and • Embracer were slightly in front, but' at tho end of the first furlong Posinatus took command, andcarriod tho field past the judge's box, his nearest attendants being Sea Prince, Cagou, Belove, Gladwyn, Embracer, Ulva's Isle, and Beragoon. The pace was middling, and nothing seemed inclined to make it more' solid. Tho order was practically tho same as they turned out of the straight, and raced along tho river ■ side,- where Posinatus had a couple of lengths' advantage: but when they reached the milo post tho pace began to improve, and became smoro solid. As the field entered the last half-mile, Posinatus was still in command from Belove,- Sen Prince, bracer, Beragoon, and Diva's Isle, As Sea Prince followed Posinatus into tho home stretch his army of supporters loudly anticipated his success, but their •ardour was damped when Belovo and Ulva's Isle ran post him inside the halfdistance, and filled the situations behind Posinatus, who practically won from end to end. None of the mnehfanciod horses got ji situation save Diva's Isle, and there was very littlo change in the position of tho leading division all the way. Since Newhaven won in 1891? no other horso set its own pace from tho jump to the judge's box until yesterday. Tho timo recorded shows it was not truly run. Neither Uncle Sam nor Cagou wero over dangerous, and though Beragoon _ and Sea Prince wero within striking distance of the leader the greater part of the journey they could not make uny impression on him at tho business end of the trio."

Posinntus's jockov, Shanahali, had a groat roeoption. Ho said it took him all his time to hold Posinntus. "Ho nearly pulled my arms out," ho said. "Tho horse is a Rood galloper and stayer, but this is tlie first tunc he lias ever won a two-milo race. Ho was getting tired towards the end, and.when ho starts to roll lie does roll, and changes his legs." A DOUBLE OF £40,000. Sydney, November 5. Mr. Albert Coppell, a well-known Melbourne! business man, won nearly £40,000, on Aurifor and Posinatus, for tha two Cup races-