MELBOURNE CUP.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1598, 10 November 1905, Page 1

MELBOURNE CUP.

By; telegraph, Press A'ss’n,, Copyright Melbourne, Nov. 8., Cup Day was a day of blistering heat, windy and dusty to boot. : ; The Cup contingent were sent on their mission like a troop of oavalry. For a few strides the line of bright clothes of the riders was unbroken ; then- the green and pmk livery carried by Soot Free moved out, ODiy to be passed by that of Cluster, after whom the field thundered past the judge’s box, his nearest attendants being Overdale, Soot Free, Pins, Grand Rapids, and Fabric. Cluster’s reign was very short, for as they swept out oi the straight Overdale assumed command, and setting a vory solid paco rattled along the river side past the bridge and along the bank escorted by Grand Rapids, Pius, and Soot Free, while Blue Spec was within striking distance of the leaders, and Fabrio, too, was handy, as was the favorite, who was bowling along without interference in a prominent position in the ruck. After the Bheds were oast behind the paoe began to tell on Overdale, and as he beat a retreat, followed by Pius, Soot Free Hashed to the front, with Maniapoto in hot pursuit, but the New Zealander soon melted out of the straggle, while Blue Speo, Grama, Fabrio, Grand Rapids, and Tartan, chased his great Scotoh brother into the straight. When the distaooe was reached Scot Free was still goiDg strongly in front of Blue Speo, and as Tartan's odors appeared on the outside a shout went up in anticipation of bis victory. The fight was now in real earnest, and Bine Speo gradually creeping up in brilliant style was soon up sides with Scot Free,who had bean making the pace a cracker, and his effort was beginning to tell. At half distance Blue Speo had drawn in front of the Sydney representative, and settled the Melbourne Gap question for'l9os, though not without a struggle, as the son of Loohiel stuok to him gamely throughout the final effort. The weight began to tell on Tartan inside the distance, bat be came on with great resolution, and had his nose at Soot Free’s girth as he flashed past the post amid a scene of wild exoitement. .

The victory of Blue Speo was greeted with great cordiality. None of the oraoks showed prominently at any stage exoept Meniapoto, and his effort was not sustained. He was prominent at the home turn, but from that out was beaten. Scot Free’s bid for the stake was a very, bold one. It was quite a treat to see him fight out the last half mile when the'pressure was turned on. ..He struggled on in a moat courageous mauner, but in Blue Spec he enoountered one. who stayed a little too long under punishment. When Bine Speo returned to scale his sides told plainly how bard be bad been ridden by Bullook, who made the greatest use of the Hail for nearly a mile. Blue Speo is evidently a horse of great courage and;endurance., There was not a suspicion of fluke about the win, whiob was full of merit;

The attendance to the unofficial eye appeared to be one of the greatest seen at Fiemiogton for sevoral years, That it was as big as last year’s was unsuestionable. The lawn was a mass of brilliant millinery, for the day was all on the side of the woman with the best |of her Gup season dresses. - ■ 1 ■;