THE MELBOURNE CUP.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 229, 9 December 1874, Page 2

THE MELBOURNE CUP.

WE make the following extract from the Australasian's account of the race. — Nothing attracted more attention than New Zealand’s champion mare, Lurline, who stripped one ball of muscle, but the season of the year was against her, and many good judges did not admire her front action as she cantered past. The Australian champion Dagworth was comparatively deserted by his friends, walking about the paddock almost unnoticed, and another animal that was almost totally neglected was the strapping fine son of Ladykirk, Haricot, whose owner fondly hoped for a Cup success, only for the honor that attaches itself to so important a triumph, and he was gratified. From what we could see of it the start was an excellent one. The Arrow and Protos on the left, with Kettledrum in the centre, and The Diver on the extreme right, appearing to hold the most prominent positions as they swept up the straight, King of the Ring, as usual whipping iu. But before they had got a mile Haricot rushed to the front and, increasing his lead to 20 lengths as he passed the abattoirs it was evident that the despised outsider had the race at his mercy, for though The Diver (who ran wide all the way, and thereby lost a deal of ground) went after him, and was followed Ly Protos. and Haricot began to come back to them as they entered the straight, he had slipped his field too far for them to get on terms with him, and the boy easing within a few strides of the post, he won by four lengths, to the intense gratification of the bookmakers, many of whonl had hardly written his name, owing to the inferior form shown by the horse when placed along side of Maid of Avenel, a performance that caused those who witnessed it, to believe that Haricot was a non-stayer. Such a runaway race has never been seen for the Melbourne Cup since the mighty Archer galloped over his field and cut his opponents down without an effort, and so far as the actual race itself was concerned, it was about the least interesting Cup that has ever been seen, as Haricot had the race at his mercy more than a mile from home. The winner is a staring light bay horse, standing nearly 16 hands, and though, like many geldings, he has a weabish-looking neck, and appears to be light in his middle, he is nevertheless a powerful animal, and when in the humor gallops in fine form, though not like a thorough stayer.