THE RACE FOR THE MELBOURNE CUP.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1231, 24 November 1874, Page 4

THE RACE FOR THE MELBOURNE CUP.

The Melbourne Argus thus describes this race : Instantly on the sound of the bell all the luncheon rooms and refreshment bars were forsaken, and everyone at once endeavoured to secure some post of observation from which to witness the race. Each horse as he came down the straight was keenly criticised. Dagworth looked a grand horse, and The Arrow, with his beautiful action, so well fitted for a two mile journey, deluded his backers with a fond hope of victory. Lurlhie looked remarkably well, and as fit as horse could be. Protos was not in favor, and few took any notice of him. King of the Ring looked lighter than lie did on Saturday la.it. Goldsborough was led clown the course, and many persons thought the horse looked dull. Lapidist did not look well. Fitz-Yattendon was, as his backers acknowledged, in better condition than he ever stripped before. After Dark. Speculation, Goshawk, and King Tom were passed by with hardly any notice. The Diver was eagerly looked for, and his appearance was very satisfactory; his trainer had done all that skill and patience could do, and his backers had every prospect of a good race for their money. Haricot's style when going slowly is not at all taking, and few that sa>v the peacocky gentleman dancing along the sward thought he would be able to lead such a field in a two mile race. Kettledrum was neatlouking, and in good condition, but he is not the kind of form which we look for in Cup winners. Cleolite looked well, as she always does, and her good looks buoyed up her backers with hopes of victory. The start was fully a quarter of an hour behind the advertised time, but once the horses were got together they were soon sent away. For the first time since the Melbourne Cup was inaugurated the start was not visible from the stand owing to the cntwd, and until the horses came into the course only an occasional sight of the jockeys could be got as the horses swept between the ranks of the multitude that thronged each side of the course. As soon as the horses could be seen, the Arrow was in the van, Kottledrum, King Tom, and Lapidist being close upon him, and the Diver coming up on the right hand side very wide. King of the Ring, as of old, was well in the rear. Kettledrum went to the front as they passed the stand, and led for a short distance round the turn, when Haricot assumed the load, and from this out the race was without interest, for the gelding led home, nothing in the race being able to get near lam. Diver ran fully up to his form, and if the rider had been strong enough to force him along at the finish, he would have beaten Protos, aud been very close to the winner. King of the Ring showed that he was as slow on his legs getting away as ever ; and though he beat Break o' Day, he displayed '

none of that dash that his backers claimed for him. Protos surprised everyone by beating his stable companions. Goldsborough did not perform at all brilliantly, and it is difficult to account for the confidence of the stable after seeing the horse run. FitzYattendon greatly disappointed his backers by the position he occupied at the finish, and it is difficult to account for the form shown by Lurline. The race was the least interesting one that has yet been seen for the Melbourne Cup. Of the favorites, the only horse that did what was expected of him was The Diver, whose condition reflected the greatest credit on his trainer. He is a lazy, long-striding horse, and the boy on him was not strong enough to ride him home or he would have run the winner close. Haricot was bred by Mr A. Chirnside. He is by Ladykirk (imported), out of Saucepan (imported). Ladykirk is by Daniel O'Rourke, the English Derby winner. Saucepan is by Coltersdale. Haricot is a light-built horse, not at all taking to the eye of a racing man, and to see him go at half speed he looks like a horse that would win a half-mile scurry, but when extended his action is very good, and he gets over the ground in a style that one would hardly expect from seeing his peacocky action when going slowly. Haricot is a good winner for the King, as the public did not fancy him for the distance, and only a few bets were made on him outside the stable. On the horses coming in to weigh there was a faint cheer, but the victory of Haricot was not at all popular. Sixteen horses came to the starting post for the Hurdle Pace, and, as many of the competitors were new to a metropolitan course, there was a great deal of interest manifested in the event. Sir Bedivere led the first round, and then fell at the hurdle before reaching the stand. W.F. then took up the running but was passed half a mile from home by Flambeau, who came in an easy* winner. Welshman and Gameboy passed W.F., who died away in the last quarter of a mile. Kory O'More ran well, but the weight told on him. Seven horses started for the Darling Stakes, which was won by Hero with the greatest ease, Sunbeam being the only one that could make the semblance of a race with him at the finish. The winner was put up for sale and bought by Mr Williams for 270 guineas, thus giving the Club funds 70 guineas. This race was last on the list, and brought the day's business to a conclusion. The sport was of a very inferior description, there not being a good finifh during the day, and though they were all handicap races with the exception of the Kensington Stakes, they were all—with the exception of that race—won at least half a mile from home.