Statesman’s Runaway Melbourne Cup

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 512, 15 November 1928, Page 12

Statesman’s Runaway Melbourne Cup

SHOWED WONDERFUL STAMINA i STORY OF A GREAT RACE Taking complete control from the Victoria Derby winner two furlongs from the post, the Sydney owned and trained Statesman came right away from the others, and won the 1928 Melbourne Cup* by four lengths from Strephon, with Demust. three lengths further back. „All the way up the straight Statesman was cheered on to victory (recorded the S.M. ‘‘Herald” the day after the race). The applause was deafening as the horse continued his run, and was renewed again and again as the winner made his way back to the enclosure. It was a complete vindication of the judgment of his owner-trainer, W. Kelso, for Statesman recorded one of the' most decisive and convincing wins yet associated with the great race. Among The Best The horse proved himself a stayer entitled to be included amongst the best that have won the historic event, for passing the judge’s box the first time he had but two horses behind him. He got a clear run at the mile and a-quarter post near the rails, but even then had considerable leeway to make up. One could hear the crowd doubting the ability of Statesman to give away such a start, but they did not know the horse and the wonderful condition he was in. “Surely he cannot win from there?” they asked. There was good ground for doubting his capabilities. Strephon, the .hero of the Derby, had such great pace early that he took up a position after a furlong or so had been covered behind The Happy | Warrior, who was then a good two lengths in front, and Dion, who was pulling hard. It was at this stage that Statesman was conspicuous in the rear with a mile to go. In Front Too Soon The crowd had been worked to a high pitch of excitement, for Strephon had reduced The Happy Warrior’s lead, and when they reached the six furlongs post he was on terms with him. In the next few strides Strephon rushed to the front, although the wisdom was questionable, it may have been pardonable,’ the colt was going so well, and his inexperienced rider may have been feeling the seriousness of the occasion. Here Statesman was still on the rails, but Munro then realised that it was time to move. He took Statesman to the outside, and by the time the straight entrance was reached he had his mount just behind Strephon and Balmerino. This trio come into view almost in line, and then Munro, accomplished general as he is, ranged Statesman alongside Strephon, realising that Strephon was not going fast enough. Munro allowed Statesman his head, and the Demosthenes horse galloped like the great thoroughbred he is, simply revelled in his task, and, not letting up, treated the amazed concourse with one of the best exhibitions of staying powers seen for many years. By A Street Statesman careered past the post, and it was then that Munro had his first look round.. He was apparently anxious to know by what margin Statesman had won. Strephon was able to finish in front of the remainder, and even if he had been* restrained six furlongs from home by his rider he would have had no chance of downing Statesman, the fittest horse in a very fit field. Demost also put up a good performance to run third. A distinct last nine furlongs from the winning post, he emerged from the ruck in the straight, and had no difficulty in running past Balmerino, who also made great efforts. This colt was always in third or fourth position, and he battled on gamely, but he was very distressed when he returned to the laneway leading to the enclosure. And what of the others? Winalot

ran a fairly good race, and had every opportunity. Epilogue afcso took up a handy position in the first two furlongs, and did not lose it until tuey had but five furlongs to go. Just here he seemed to meet with a little interference. Maple was a disappointment; but Otendale ran a similar race to the Derby. He made a smart move forward from the half-mile, and roun - ing the turn was prominent, but ne gradually faded out, and was se\enui to pass the post. Popular Win The ease with which the Cup was won did not minimise the cheers for the Sydney jockey, “Jimmy Munro and as he saluted 'the judge for fife second time in the Melbourne Cup «-he applause was loud and long. It a popular win for a popular horse and a very popular rider. Munro is tne most undemonstrative of young men. Last year, when Trivalve won, Lewis lifted his cap, and showed his famous bald spot all the way down the cheering alley way to the gate before the members’ stand. Munro, no doubt, was equally pleased, but he merely lifted his whip to the peak of his cap. endeavoured to smile, and generally gave the impression that the winning o f a rich prize was merely in a day s work. Good rider he is, but a vain one no. All the same, the thousands on the hill, the less fortunate ones on the fiat, the people of decorum in the members’ stand, and the strange mixture of democrats and social lions m the paddock were all equally vocirerous. in their praise of the horse from Sydney and his rider, for whatever their station in life, Australians are sportsmen all. Statesman is a four-years-old chestnut horse, by Demosthenes (imp.), from the imported bay mare Marcelle, by Martagon from Celine, by Cylenne. Betting Fluctuations Like most Melbourne Cups, the betting fluctuated considerably. Wmalot, who was one of the early favoui - ites, and held his position until a few weeks ago, receded alarmingly in the past few days, and at the final discussions was marketable throughout at 25, notwithstanding that' £24,750 was taken about him in wagers. The Banker had been coupled by his owner with Maple weeks before the Caulfield Cup was run, for £20,000; but 66 was offered about him on the eve of the race, with takers for about £12,500. Textile receded to 200 the day before the race, and after more than £44,000 was written against him less than twenties was still available. The most remarkable wagering before the day of the race was that on behalf of Epilogue. One firm of Sydney operators had heard that Epilogue had been withdrawn, and excluded him from their charts, but at Moorfield another operator was offering 100. Two flays later Epilogue was generally quoted at 33 in two States, but strong commissions in these brought the price down to 16, which was reduced further when J. Scobie’s candidate won the Hotham Handicap, and £16,411 was accepted about the horse the night before the race. Pica Pica was another that went out of favour owing to a weak finish in the Hotham Handicap, and he was backed for only £ 8,000, the closing price being about 100. Statesman held his position practically from the day the weights were issued, being considered as favourably handicapped. He stood up to his solid Work excellently, and on the eve of the race but one wager of £9OO to £3OO was available. This was quickly accepted, and the ruling price was then shortened a bit, at which quotation the favourite was backed for a little more than £9,000: Because she had been coupled for about £IOO,OOO with Maple, Canning Queen remained in the market all the time, and, as a result of a promising effort on Saturday she firmed to third favourite, £15,000 being taken about her on • day night. Ataman was a 150 chance; but Strephon, who was little thought of when the Melbourne Cup came up for consideration at the beginning of July, came down rapidly, and the bes\ about the colt on the eve of the race was three and a-half. The first wager was £7OO, then £1,600. A little later £1,950 and several of £650. He was supported- for nearly £IB,OOO. Of the remainder, the best backed were the three-year-olds Balmerino, Oatendale and Allecret.

HUGE SUMS

BOOK’S £40,000 PAY-OUTS CUP SETTLING DAY There was over £250,000 sterling in the Victorian Club to-day, when settling took place over the Melbourne Cup. Bob Jansen brought in £40,000. and Mannie Lyons £30,000. to pay Cup winners (telegraphed Mr. C. J. Greaves to the Sydney “Guardian” the day after the race). There were many others who had £IO,OOO or more in front of them when the settling commenced. Books report that it was an expensive Cup, and particularly was this so for Sydney ante-mortem ringmen. At one stage of the betting a few weeks ago Statesman was a ££o,ooo worse horse for Sydney’s leviathan than Strephon or any other horse in the race. Covering Up Needless to say, he covered up some of his liability, but after taking £9,000 to £ 3,000 at a late stage of betting, was still a substantial loser over the Cup. Probably the biggest winner was one of a group of 'three, who had £ 60.000 between them. Coupled for £40,000 He had had the good fortune to hear of Maple’s backing for the Caulfield Cup. and decided to couple the pair for £40.000 for himself. Laying off £IO,OOO against Statesman straight out at a short price, he stood to win £30,000 if Statesman won, and £2,000 if he lost. Books were struck for sums ranging between £IOO and £16,000 by punters who bet in all denominations. The experience of the last few years has shown the ante-post ring that the punters are well informed nowadays. Once it was customary for the early lists to offer 400 or 500 to 1 against the fancied ones. Last year the price was cut down to 250 to 1, and next year one of the leviathans predicts it will ’be even less, and the big risks of the past will not be taken against the horses in. fashionable stables. His Worst Cup Mannie Lyons says it was the worst Melbourne Cup day he has ever had. On top of all the losses on the Cup, he received a £SO bet by wire lor Migrant, all up Statesman, and all up New Hope. This accumulator won the backer well over £3,ouu. Another man who has been off the courses for some time, under disqualification, sent out a commission for £4oo—not to the same bookmaker, of course—on Migrant, and told his commissioner to put the winnings on New Hope. As Migrant won, he had £ 1,600 on New Hope. He won £B,OOO. But that was not all. He was keen also on Statesman, after seeing his Sydney win, and backed him early at the long odds.