THE MELBOURNE CUP DAY.

Evening Star, Issue 4280, 14 November 1876, Page 2

THE MELBOURNE CUP DAY.

(From tlie Age.)

The Cup day of 1876 wilf be remembered as one of the most successful held under the auspiees of the V.R.C. The attendance was unprecedently numerous—by many it was estimated at something approximating to 100,000 persons. The prize was spiritedly contested, and the weather, though at times " tolerable and not to be endured," enabled the fashionable world to appear wish a " pomp and ciicumstance " perhaps never before witnessed on the lawn. As usual, the result was a surprise. Not the most knowing could have predicted a double triumph to Briseis, though it seemed pretty certain that Mr Wilson's.stable was, to produce; the victor. Briseis, notwithstanding her magnificent performance in winningtue Derby ? was not regarded as at all a likely candidate for the Cup. The favorite was Feu d'Artifice, and there were many who obtained almobt equal odds. Spark, of which so much was expected, was nowhere ; Sultan was scarcely noticed in the ruck ; Aldinga was in splendid condition, and made some headway at the start, but fell off lamentably at the close; Irish Stew showed up well for a time, but was soon left behind; Impudence -showed up only for a short time, while Newminster 1 and Valencia were withdrawn. Never were public expectations more grievously disappointed, and many must have left the course wiser though sadder men. Indeed, outside the "ring," the majority of the faces encountered after the great event wore an elongated arid somewhat subdued expression. Still, the race was one of tne most exciting that could be witnessed, while there was an utter abseroa of mala fides on the part of the various riders. The road was unusually well patronised, and the more pretentious of the turn-outs were equipped in a manner that would have done credit to the road to Epsom or to Ascot. His Excellency drove down in a handsome chariot drawn by four fine bays with postillions, and was followed by Sir Hercules ltobinson" in another carriage. Sir Anthony I Miisgrave, the Governor of South Australia, i was also one of the guests of bis. Excellency. The viceregal' party were' attended by *n escort of police and light cavalry. The other i more noticeable equipages were those of Mr Beaney, Mr. Wagner, and Mr Wilson, of I Wilson's I&pfttbjqnjß. TJ» 'tomes gaatte-'

- - -:; Tj|gprg|iMi\t irnt - ' man (Mats out wi& greyt, with postillions, in brae*jaokw|jnth«U?er {buttons. Allt had^^t ,i give tiif .; palm :to Mr Wagner, wMl^appearid \ with -a handsome idSag" of real old % j Eiiglish fashion, drawn* by ioilff; splencttdi -v looking high-bred ;bay team was tooled by Mr Wagner.-hunjßelf, and wa» decidedly the feature of the road. .MrWilf son drove a mixed team of dark'greya and bays, and there were also -several other four-in-hands out, of more or less excellence. The number of private carriages drawn by pairs was probably greater than on any other occasion, and as for «abs, waggonnettes, spring carte,'gigs, anil 6ttar>M»Sescript vehicles, their name was simply legion. One party of youths created great amusemeat by appearing with a tandem team, the leader being mounted by an *mateur~postillion, dressed in racing colors of a most brilliant hue, and nearly every lorry owned in and about M elbourne was out with a lull oargo-of pleasure-seekers. The attendance aV-the course by the time the first race was run was very large, and as the afternoon advanced the crowds gradually increased before Cup was run off; and when apparently nearly all the surplus population of ttie town had collected on the course, the concjDurße presented an aspeot of which any Victorian might be proud. South of the line, iio spectacle to compare with it lias even been witnessed. The hill presented the appearaaceof an enormous ant-hill. The grandstand and the lawn were crowded to inconvenience with ladies and gentlemen, the former attired in elegant touettes, the gay colors of which gave brightness and animation to the scene. The weather was at times disagreeable, and clouds of dost did havoc wth the lighter costumes. - Shortly before the Cup was run, sun shoae out brilliantly, and alight refreshing breeze sprung up from the, south. Many of the toilettes were extremely recherche, not a few having been:expressly imported from the establishment of the . celebrated Worth. One was stated to have cost 600 guineas ; there were several valued at 250 guineas, and others more or lew expensive. All, however, were in exquisite taste. Silk was the prevailing material, ind for the greater part the dresses were a combination of colors, blue, pink, and mauve predominating. One toilette attracted considerable notice.. It was composed of the richest ivory satin, with full train, trimmed with ostrich , feathers, -with plumes at intervals surrounded by a deep pearl fringe, with bonnet and parasol ere suite. A rich blue silk dress with no other trimming than a deep fringe, with hat and ostrich feather plume to match, was greatly admired. '■• A very effective toilette consisted of a mauve gros-grained silk, with bands of violet yelvet and deep Honitoh lace. Amongst the combination dresses one of the most striking was composed of an underskirt of rose-colored faille, with four flounces, an overskirt of pale lavender gros-grain, tn polonaise, trimmed with scarves of rose color/ .Albo two dresses of creame damasse,having.deepfolded tabliers, the underskirt being trimmed with brown silk. Mention' might be made of many others, including one of crimson silk, having a tablier of Chantilly, lace, and black velvet bodice. Several were Btartlpg, particularly a blue and canary silk, trimmed with a profusion of kiltings in both colors ; and a black: silk, ornamented with broad yellow bands.' Upon no previous occasion did the lawn present so crowded an ance, and the toilettes generally for Tichness and variety have never been excelled. vv We subjoin a detailed account of the Cup race:—

netting: 4to 1 Feu d'Artifice, 6 to 1 Briseis,- Bto 1 Timothy, 10 to 1 Spark and Irish Stew, IS to 1 Aldinga, 100 to 15 Impudence. 100 to 6 Sultan, 100 to 5 Sterling and Torchlight, 100 to 4 Imperial, 100 to 3 Dilke and The Deer. No 'sooner was the flag - lowered than away the thirty-five candidates for Cup honors went. Being sent oft on their journey at the first attempt c used-no little surprise and wonderment to the > hufidred thousand. persons who were anticipating at least half-a-dozen breakaways. In the ; van was Aldinga, striding grandly t>n In the. centre of the field,- though Imperial was -decidedly the first horse on his legs, Sterling, Sultan; TOrchyght, and Janitor holding prominent positions. The pace was fast; and the lot came np the straight a cracker, Aldinga welL ahead, Sultan, Torchlight, Imperial. Clifton forming the first flight. Passingfthe stand Feu d' Artifice was in the centre; withlriahßtew on the outside, while Briseis and Sibyl were nearly together near the rails. Suddenly Sultan 5 overpowering his rider broke away and for a time held the premier position, hut at the river torn Aldinga had cleared him, and Timothy threaded his way through several horses and Joired the front. division. Aldinga carried his field op the river side, where Spring Jack passed several horses in quick succession, taking second place, and Feu d*Artifice looked as though she was able to go to the front at any moment. Running up the river Aldngagave way to Spring Jack and Irish Stew, while Timothy dropped on the quarters of Aldinga, and in a few strides more Glengarry became fifth, followed by Sultan, Torchlight,,- Imperial, and Sibyl; Janitor having,retired at an earlier period. At the bridge Impudence quitted the ruck and took a better placed and Bterling made a forward movement, -Emulation also making towards tire front. The pace continued to he very hot round the abattoirs and past the sheds, where Spring Jack held a trifling advantage over Impudence, Timothy, Sibyl; Irish StewyEmulation, Imperial, and Briseis. Coming to theTast turn, Spring Jack cried a go, and gave way to Sibyl, who. went straight to the front, making the turn two lengths in front of everything. Impudence, being next on the inside, and Irish Stew on the outside, his rider flogging him very persistently-j between thenvbeing Imperial, Emulation, and Timothy. Oncame Sibyl, Impudence being'now in difficulties, and Emulation at extremities, with Timcthy hard at work. At the distance Briseis got through her horses and took second place, and Timothy disposed of the others and became third. A struggle. ensued, Briseis getting to the front at the stand?. 1 and winning by a length and a half from Sibyl, who finished a length before Timothy, after whom came Impudence, Emulation, Spring Jack, Sterling, and Irish Stew, Clifton breaking down opposite the stand. Time, Bmin. 36Jsec. ' *i -