MELBOURNE CUP

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20086, 4 November 1939, Page 9

MELBOURNE CUP

TUESDAY’S CONTEST

SURPRISES OF PAST

WOTAN WON AT 100 1

THIS YEAR’S FIELD

Bv “Trenton.’

Of all the races contested each year on the colonial turf, none commands so much attention as the Melbourne Cup, which has for many years held pride of place as the most valuable race in the southern hemisphere. On no fewer than 16 occasions this great race at Flcmington lias carried a stake of over £13,000. and on six occasions iias exceeded £IO.OOO to the winner. Under the latter heading came: 1923. Bitalli. £10,488: 1925, Windbag, £10,415; 1890, Carbine. £10,230; 1927, Trivalve. £10,193; 1898, Malvolio, £10,124; 1924. Blackwood, £IO,OBO. This year’s Melbourne Cup, to be run on Tuesday, will be the seventyninth contest in its history. The New Zealander, Catalogue, last year’s winner, will be attempting to win his second Cup in succession, a feat which has been performed on only one oeca-

It is now -19 years since Carbine registered his wonderful performance of 1890, but it never fails to interest, because he defeated the greatest field both in number and quality that has ever contested the race. He carried 10.5. or 141 b. over weight for age. and he was conceding Glib, to Highborn, who finished second and was the same age as himself. In the same season Highborn won the Sydney Cup. carrying 9.3, and also disun-

guished himself in weight-for-age races. Therefore, Highborn's form invested Carbine's triumph with special distinction. Notable Incidents

It has been said that the uncertainty of racing constitutes its greatest charm. If that is so, it can be contended that the Melbourne Cup has contributed its share of notable incidents.

What can be cited as the first sensational surprise in the history of the Melbourne Cup was in 1871, when The Pearl .led the field home. Mr, John Tail, who owned The Pearl, also had a second string, Pyrrhus, who was the one on which the stable hopes rested. The Pearl was right out of favour, as can be gauged by a wager of £9OO to £9 laid against his chances just before- the Held went to the past. Favourites Routed Another sensational win was recorded in 1881, when Zulu scored and the fancied division sulTered a complete rout. Darcbin, who had won the V.R.C. Derby in brilliant style, was a firm favourite, blit he was beaten before the straight was reached. Zulu took command a long way from the post and, withstanding all challenges, won by three-quarters of a length from The Czar. Owing 'to leg trouble, Zulu was considered an unlikely starter and 50 to h was quoted about him at the start. In the following year the race was run in torrential rain and the whole of tlie placed division comprised outsiders. The winner, The Assyrian, had failed miserably in the Caulfield Cup a couple of weeks earlier when he was included in the favourite division.

The Cup of 1885 saw two qulsidcrs, Sheet Anchor and Grace Darling, in a great finish defeat Trenton and Nordonfelt. the favourites. Only heads separated the first four horses. Relations Clash

What can happen in racing was pointedly exemplified in the Cup of 1894. The five-year-old Ruenalf, who was weighted at 7.7. had scored at weight-for-age and ruled a hot favour-

ite. He was with the leaders at the straight entrance but failed to stay on. and his four-year-old brother, Patron, carrying 9.3, or 31b. over weight-for-age, went on to record a surprise win. There was another surprise the following year. Auraria, a three-year-old filly, who finished third in tho Victoria Racing Club's Derby, was started on the off-chance, and she defeated the favourite, Hova, by a neti. Greatest Outsider The Cup of 1936, won by Wo tan, revealed in pointed stylo the glorious uncertainty of racing. Unheralded and unsung, the New Zealand horse journeyed to the starting-post the greatest outsider, at 100 to 1. in a field of 20 runners.

In the space of a few minutes he had the vast assembly spellbound by a marvellous dash for victory. When the last half-mile of the journey was entered upon. Wolan was well in the ruck, with only one horse behind him. Unwinding a brilliant finishing run, lie drew level with the pacemaker. Silver Standard, a few strides from the post, then forged ahead to score by. a heck amid a scene of intense excitement. The finishing touch was put to Wotan's sensational surprise when the time (3.21:]) was posted, which created a fresh New Zealand and Australian record for two miles. Another New Zealander Last year another New Zealand horse was first home when Catalogue scored one of the easiest victories recorded in the race. Not recognised as a stayer, and of plain appearance, Catalogue attracted little attention, and he was quoted at he start at 33 to 1. This Year’s Contest Not allowing for defections within the next couple of days, 28 horses are due to face the starter on Tuesday at Flemington. The latest exchanges to hand favour the chances of Mosaic, Rivette, Respirator, and Maikai. Then in order of favouritism come Gold Salute, Son of Aurous. Bourbon, Feminist. Catalogue. Historian, Coonrange, Pantler. David Spear, Beau Vite. Ortelle’s Star, L’Aiglon, Billposter, Wilson, The Trump. The field:— MELBOURNE CUP, Of .CIO.OOO Mill trophy' valued at £200; a miles.

Mosaic 0 0 Frill Prince 7 7 1 'il t !■ n 0 Oilliown 7 7 Kimilontr s 13 Rea ilinp 7 7 Tim T’rumi* H 13 Soltoi 7 7 1. ’ Ai"lon 8 !> Nentliprlen 7 0 Respirator 8 il Bean Vito 7 1 Feminist (ini*. Prince Sion 7 4 lOlli. Ill'll.) 8 r> Wilson 7 4 Or tell ’ s Stnr S 4 Billposter 7 1 (’oornmru 7 r.i (iolij Salute 7 () Maikai 7 11 Pantler 7 0 Kivotti' (ine. Boll Buoy 7 0 1 Oil), pun.) 7 !) (lion lino 11 10 Son nf Aarons 7 0 David Spoilr (I 7 <; <-<‘buii?; 7 S Winillolon li 7