Sydney Cup Won by Dark Marne

Grey River Argus, 31 March 1948, Page 6

Sydney Cup Won by Dark Marne

SYDNEY, March 29. In a thrilling finish, Dark Marne won the £BOOO Sydney Cup at Randwick to-day, a nose from the topweight, Columnist, with Lungi two lengths away third. The New Zealand stayer, Beau le Havre, went to the front at the three furlongs and was with the leaders around the home turn, but then faded out Hiraii, the winner of last years Melbourne Cup, broke down going out of the straight the first time, and will not race again. An examination by the A.J.C. veterinary surgeon revealed that Hiraji fractured a sesamoid bone in his off foreleg. Dark Marne’s win gave his jockey, J. Thompson, his first Sydney Cup success. He said that Dark Marne was always close to the leaders and took the ‘lead at the furlong. Here he was challenged by Columnist, ridden by H. Badger, and the pair fought out a desperate finish. Columnist, conceding Dark Marne 181 b, was great in defeat. Another close finish resulted in the C. W. Cropper Handicap, won by Heroic Sovereign, which got up in the last few strides to snatch a halfhead win from Deep Sea. with Brazier third. The New Zealand-bred Royal Raider was prominent to the turn, then faded right out.

C. W. Cropper Handicap: Heroic Sovereign 8.2 (J. Thompson) 1; Deen Sea 8.2 (Moore) 2; Brazier 8.11 (Briscoe) 3. Twelve started. Half a head; length and a half. Time 1.11.

Easter Handicap: Sheba 8.0 (Moore) 1: Whistling Win 7.11 (Briscoe) 2; Matinee 7.5 (Seldrig) 3. Eighteen started. Two lengths; neck. Time 1.251. Sydney Cun: Dark Marne 8.3 (J. Thompson) 1; Columnist 9.7 (Badger) 2: Lungi 8.0 (Purtell) 3. Twenty-one started. Nose: two lengths. Time 3.261. scratched:— Kingscote, Orderly, Meigoda, Conductor.