HIS AMBITION ATTAINED

NZ Truth, Issue 1197, 8 November 1928, Page 14

HIS AMBITION ATTAINED

Kelso's Body Blow To Fielders In Melbourne Cup

(By Cable. — From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Melbourne Representative.)

It has always been the height of Bill Kelsq's amtation to win the Melbourne pup with a horse of his own breeding 1 , but it was not. -until the handicapper let Statesman m a stone under weight-for-age that Kelso was able to realize it.

STATESMAN'S win was a particulariD ly meritorious one, but the small field very materially assisted him m winning. He was on the rails from the time they had settled down until he ran up between Strephon and Balmerino at the home turn. He never met with the slightest interference and never once did his rider have to check him. • Nearing the seven-furlong post he looked like running into a pocket, but Munro saw a tiny opening and went for

He got through at the six-furlong post. Strephon, who had been running third, went past the leader and opened up a gap of a couple of lengths, but Balmerino dashed out after him and from then on the race was m earnest. Gradually Balmerino closed on Strephon round the turn, while Statesman' ran into third place a couple of lengths behind. Swinging into the straight, Balmeriho was feeling 'the injury that was responsible for his breaking down after the race. . He shifted out a little and left sufficient room for Munro to drive Statesman up between the favorite and Balmerino. t With a furlong to go, Statesman was well clear of the favorite and had things all his own way, for Strephon tired badly, while Balfnerino, although he plugged on gamely, was m such a bad way When he pulled up that it was with some difficulty that he managed to hobble back to the paddock.

The mishap to Balmerino may have, cost him the race, for when he commenced his run he was going just as well as Strephon, and -m all probability would have finished better than Strephon. ' Statesman's win was a big 1 blow to the ring, as from the time that the weights were first issued he was coupled m big doubles, with the Caulfield Cup winner, Maple. - Of the beaten division the Queensland mare, " Canning Queen, did best. She was going like a. ateam engine m the centre of the course when the race was all over, and, outside of the winner, there wasn't anything going as welL Epilogue, which looked a picture, was sixth. He had every chance, ' but found the trip a bit" toovfar. Winalot wasn't up to humping topwoight all the way. f As for the favorite, it was lack of facing as much as anything else that beat him. He was ridden really a Jiice race by young Howes. He started from the extreme outside of the field, but so great was his- pace ,he was able to cross over m front of the other runners and Was third as they left the straight. His rider may have gone just a little 'too soon on him, but still he tired badly over the last little bit. With a little more experience, however, he looks like developing 1 in,to a champion and may make amends next year. - \ . _, '

Good' Beginner -^ v JACK WILLIAMSON has got hold, of a very useful hack m Vallar^.which won a six furlong- sprint at IjargaviUe '!' m bold style after being '^U,. .tested ' out m front throughout' He iaV.four- | year-old chestnut son' of Valkyriari— Bellacity and it is m his favor that h* knows how to begin well. - !' Whether he will stay remains to bi'\ proved. Wants Careful Handling ■;...,. MONETIZE is one of those whjch !»-.< quire careful handling durlngf";>' race. He did not seem qufte at .-borne •, m the big field maiden events, last week but each race should improve him md. . his. turn should not be long coming. He should be prominent m" th'e hack classes at Te Kuiti; :