THE M.Z. CUP.

NZ Truth, Issue 75, 24 November 1906, Page 2

THE M.Z. CUP.

(For "Truth.")

'Tis a time of weary wind and dust, a time to start away, . For the, fields ,bf green where stiff 'uns sprout and dead 'uns win the day. , \ Where resurrection horses come to life and smile again, And the pleasure of the waking dulls the wretched losing pain. I started ouf\*uth hopes of 'oof and visions bright and glad, With lightsome step and « watchful eye, m brilliant raiment clad. c I felt as Marshal Ney of old— quite eager for the fray. But mv feelings kinder dulled a bit ■ when Star Rose won the day.

For I'd claculated chances, and I'd sized them up I thought, And I'd interviewed the riders and explored the world of sport ; And tfoo' wise men Par i tutu ed and sages Multifid, . " I sneaked my bit on Armistice and thought I held the lid.

The flap; went down and Makaroff went off 1-ike jjhofc of gun' Attended by black Ghqofka, who was clearly m the run. Then Star Hose joined the leader right opposite, the .stand, And Armistice was lengths behind, revoking all I'd -.planned ; Then Multifid came striding from the back to number three, And the backers of the rose and black , all shouted out -with glee, ■While;., Paritutu, handy, made a for- " v.«ard movement then, r And the Mas 'tan folks looked hopeful when they saw old Letherin. Shoot like lightning from the ruck and take a place for just a minute But that shot was just a misfire, for he never could fee m it;~ And then Ghoorka made another try to reach the slick Star Rose ; But he'd shot his bolt and died' away •like city firemen's hose. Than -little Price on Star Rose looked round aftd chuckled lou-d, For he saw the winning post ahead, and laboring all the crowd, So he sat quite still and waited, and each and all they tried ' To catch him, but their chance was nil; then Joe swerved to the side Letting Multifid ' come thro ' and make his effort for the Cup. But he '-d waited much too long;, alas! ■ lie saw the game was up, • • And Armistice, who had lost quite thirty lengths or more, Came like a rocket from the rear and hastened to the fore. Game as a pebble, inch by inch she fought her way ahead, .• ' She'd run, the race m 22, if she .won ; some one said St. Joe appeared for just a time, but Daystar's son was m. The favorite's down, the favorite's beat, the outsider must win.

Just like a funeral' dirge it was, just like i\n evening hymn, A 'hushed and startled crowd, -stood round— they nev.er thought of him. McCpmbe on Mulbifid relied oh Star . . Rose coming, back ; - It doesn't -do, not every time, to work; on such a tack. . Old heads, old horses all went' down, we- know, as often old folks can, And yoiiflfifster like- wee Harry Price befooled the rider man. The moral's plain; and here it is— as plain as Silas Hpokham— You must always catch your blooming ha,re before; you try to .cook ■ him; " ■ LAUNCELOT.