THE MELBOURNE CUP.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 15 November 1916, Page 2

THE MELBOURNE CUP.

HOW IT WAS WON. SYDNEY, this day. The “Sydney Morning Herald” says of Melbourne Cup Day: The attendance, though large, was nothing compared with the last few years. Describing the Cup race, it says: Once fairly settled down, Prince Bardclph took up the running, but Sunbury was ahead as they flashed past the judge’s box, only to drop back again as Prince Bardolpn resumed the place. The latter remained prominent till nearing the turn, after rounding which he showed signs of tiring and beat a retreat, as Lucky Escape, Sasanof, Stageland, and Shepherd’s King swung into the stralgnt on even terms. Ere the distance was reached. Sasanof shot out and passed that point well clear from the favourite, while St. Spasa was just in the wake of the latter, and Lingle couic be seen coming very fast. Inside the distance there was nothing in it but Sasanof, which scored easily from Shepherd's King. Evidently his curb hock did not affect the running of Sasanof, which finished in grand style. The New Zealand gelding received a hearty ovation on returning to the weighing enclosure. Shepherd’s King ran a good horse, but could not pace it with the lightweighted New Zealander when called upon to finish. The “Daily > Telegraph” says; “Young Foley, on Sasanof, dashed to the front two furlongs from home. Shepherd’s King set sail after him, but the {New Zealander was too good for him. and won easily. A striking feature of the Cup was the quiet way in which the victory of Sasanof was received by the general public. Generally the Cup winner gets an outburst of cheering, which, however, was not so on this occasion. It was i singular that two supposed lame ducks should run first and second, and I no doubt some people resented the announcement that Sasanof pulled up lame the previous Saturday. Reasonably they cannot blame Mr. Stead, for the fact that Sasanof was lame was beyond all doubt. It was equally clear that lie made a rapid and good recovery. Mr. Stead, interviewed, said he did net think that any three-year-old ever stood such a preparation as was given Sasanof. He ran in July at Hawkesbury, and ever since then had been in constant training. He had done nothing but go ahead from that day to this. Mr. Stead stated that he gave Foley no instructions for The Cun He leaves for New Zealand on the 23rd, taking all his horses with him. M. Hobbs, Sasanof’s trainer, thought the win was a handsome one. Sasanof was a rather delicate horse, but easily trained. He threatened a curb cn Wednesday last, but got all right, and was in good form for the Cup. Foley, the rider, said he had a bump from Wolaroi after they haj gone a furlong and a half, but after that h ~ ‘ had a clear run. He felt all along that his mount had a very good chance, and his only fears were that Shepherd King and Wolaroi would beat him.