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TO-DAY'S MELBOURNE CUP.

The whirligig of time has again brought us face to face with the greatest sporting event in the history of the Australian colonies— the Melbourne Cup— which will be decided between 3 and 4 o'clock this afternoon. It is now 19 years ago since Mr DeMestre first won with Archer, which horse carried off the palm again in the following year with lOst. 21bs. up, against 20 starters, in 3min. 52secs. ; and 10 years since Day lauded Mr W. Craigs Nimblefoot a, winner, wearing crape on hiß arm out of resp^ct for the deceased owner. Since 1861 up to the present time the "Cup" has year by year become a greater institution. The number of entries and starters have increased, and what is more, important the time quicker, thus showing that our racing blood is vastly improving. The only individuals who ever won the Cup two years in succession are Mr DeMestre and "Honest John," who carried the famous colors yellow and black. Both these gentlemen have succeeded in obtaining four Cup races each. Last year the winner (Darriwell), whose victory took everyone by surprise, belonged to a gentleman who resides in Hobart Town. The time of the race was almost the fastest on record, for although it is said to have been done in England in about three seconds less the record is hardly reliable, and racecourses were not measured with the accuracy they are now when the faster time was said to have been made. In every little town throughout the colonies, and in New Zealand especially, the Cup amongst the sporting fraternity is a "household word," many will be the anxious enpuiries made this eveningas to the result. The "Cup" is a grand \mcertainty, but Mata is spoken of as a likely winner. However, it is to be hoped for the credit of New Zealand that nothing will go wrong with him ; that he will be turned out of his trainer's hands " fit and well," and thus give those interested in the "Young New Zealander " a gallop for their money. The racing public of to-day have to thank the pioneers of the colonies for their sport, for it was they who laid the foundation of the Cup brought about by the gold-fever to whom all the credit is due. A large number of the old identities have joined the ranks of the " great majority," but there are still a few scattered throughout New Zealand who remember Melbourne in its infancy, who would be astonished to see it now. As a large number of distinguished visitors have been brought together from all parts of the world to tho Exhibition, no doubr, many of them will avail themselves of the opportunity to witness the " brush for the Cup" to-day, so that the attendance ought to be the largest ever seen on the Fleraington racecourse. Perhaps a few brief notes on a

Cup Day in Melbourne may not be uninteresting. The city on that day is entirely deferred ; all the Government offices, banks, and principal places of business are closed, thus leaving the busy thoroughfares of" Bourke and Collins-streets to a few stragglers. The trains from Ballarat, Sandhurst, Geelong, and Beech worth team with visitors wafted to-and-fro at cheap rates, whilst the suburban ones are literally besieged by thousands of people vn runty to Flemington. Every conceivable precaution is taken by the railway officials to prevent accident, and it is somewhat surprising the few mishaps that occur, considering the number taken. Those who do not care about the trpin avail themselves of the means of transit by Cobb and Co. 's well-known liners and the Melbourne Omnibus Company, which leave every 20 minutes from their office in rj'ourlce"etreet to the course up till 2 o'clock, by which time the principal bulk of sightseers are on the ground. Great improvements have recfintly been made in the different Stands, and so complete are the arrangements that it is considered to be one of the finest sight-seeing racing grounds iv the Southern hemisphere. Little more than ordinary interest is taken in the first three or four events on the card, but as the day wears on the immense concourse of spectators appear to be bound up in the all-absording topic — thp Cup and its favourites. The Grand Stand, viewed from the flat, presents a scene of gaiety which is beyond description, Avhilsfc the far famed lawn sloping gracefully down to the rails, with it-? groups of gaily-attired ssmnterers lends a charm to the scene. This afternoon there will be an additional attraction for the ladies by the presence of Straus" celebrated Austrian band, recently arrived from Europe, comprising 1 o) performers, who wdl be stationed an the lawn, and play at intervals between the race*. Lidic-< dressed in rich and costly garments, ordered mon'hs before the Cup from the mo^t fashinable houses on t.ht Continent, aye to be seen in clusters enquiring the names of the different horses as they emerge from the saddling p;iddock and parade the course The greatest number of people, however, are to bs found on the Hill, near the flagstaff, where an excellent view of the whole cour-e csm be obtained. The booths between the races are well patronised, and the trade done by the lessees must be enormous, when one takes into consideration the amount of money which is paid for them. It is on the Hill where the small fry of bookmakers perched on all kiuds of conceivable stands are to bo found, who, as an inducement, offer odds that could not be obtained in the "ring" to draw custom, and often make off before the card is run through, thus leaving the eager public in the lurch. Still there are a few honorable men amongct them who pay up all demands. The price of admission to the Hill is 5s (which includes return railway fare from town;, consequently the greatest crowd is there. At half -past three the first bell generally rings for the Cup, and the clatter of" the metallicians is bewildering as they announce the odds. As the telegraphic numbers of the horses are hoisted cheer after cheer is given, till the cracks .are all posted, and names of the scratched ones. For the past few years the number that generally face the starter has been between 30 and 40, but this year the number will probably be not more than 25 or 28. Owing to the restlessness of some of them there is always a lot of time wasted in despatching them on their journey, but during the time the "Cupites" are preparing their toilet the spectators are on the tip-toe of excitement, One by one they parade up and down the flat in front of the mammoth stand, and then canter down to the starting point It is an exceedingly pretty aight when they are all together at the post, with the various colors of the jockeys sparkling in the sunbeams. This year the colors of one of our greatest sportsmen— Sir Hercules Robinson— will be missed from Flemington, but no doubt we shall soon hear of him again in another part of the world whither he has gone. Presently cries of " They are off !" mingled with " A false start !" are to be heard from the multitude. They are brought back again, and after a few moments more of suspense the flag drops to a beautiful start. " They're off now," shout a thousand voices, and in a few seconds more they swetp past the stand in a cluster, scarcely giving the spellbound spectators time to pick out their Favorites. Some are holding their horses in, but as. they near the abattoirs they

let them out and then the race begins. The pace by thia time is too hot to last, and as if Jpy.ihagic the beaten horses drop one by one to the rear. In another minute they turn the corner and enter the straight. It is now the excitement is at its height. The shouts and antics are indescribable. Hats thrown into the air, and scores hurled to the ground bs"thoae making for the rails in front of the judge's box to catch a glimpse of the winner. It is in the straight that the whip and spur do the finishing touch and land the winner home. A few seconds more and the excitement is over. Thus in the space of three minutes and a half thousands of pounds which have been at stake for months are settled : a few win, but the majority return to their homes with sadder hearts than they left them. As a rule, the bookmakers are the lucky ones and' the public the ' ' pigeons. " Still everything appears fair and above board ; the settling-day, to the losers, however, wears a different aspect. Adjoining the grand stand and near the judge's box are the telegraph offices, fitted up with every convenience, and immediately the race is over a rush to the offices ensues. So as to be in time members post themselves in front of the windows before the race is run so as to be ready to wire to some distant part at once, whilst others avail themselves of transmitting the name of the winner by means of carrier pigeons. By 6 o'clock the majority of the public have returned to town, and the streets are again crowded. In the evening the theatres are thronged by country cousins anxious to make the most of their time while on a visit to the metropolis. R. E.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT18801102.2.14

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1302, 2 November 1880, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,592

TO-DAY'S MELBOURNE CUP. Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1302, 2 November 1880, Page 2

TO-DAY'S MELBOURNE CUP. Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1302, 2 November 1880, Page 2

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