THE CUP OF 1880. [BY CABLE.] (FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.) Melbourne, Yesterday.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1303, 4 November 1880, Page 3

THE CUP OF 1880. [BY CABLE.] (FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.) Melbourne, Yesterday.

Two of the principal events in the great racing carnival have ended, and the hubbub of excitement to some extent abated, The old proverbial calm which follows the storm will now ensue, and the racing public will remain in comparative seclusion till the, next event — the Champion Stakes is brought upon the tapis. For months past Mata has taken a foremost part in the betting, and been backed to win to a considerable amount ; but alas ! the hopes of his admirers have been thwarted. There can, however, be no doubt but that he made a struggle for the honour. He was first away, but on entering the straight for home was eighth. The number which faced the starter this year was comparatively small, when compared with previous years ; but the time, although three seconds longer than last year, shows that our racing stock is greatly improving—a fact which must be highly satisfactory to breeders of racing studs. The first day's racing in connection with the V.R.C. Spring meeting commenced on Saturday last— the attendance was large and the weather throughout the early part of the morning fine, but as the day advanced showers fell at intervals, but not sufficient to mar those who had assembled on Flemington to join in the sport. The principal event on the card for that day was the Maribyrnong Plate, which resulted in a dead heat between Welcome Jack and Lavima, the owners dividing rather than run off the tie. Of course the principal event on the first day is the Derby, the race for which was a very fast one from start to finish, and despite the efforts of the son of Angler, Grand Flaneur defeated him by a length. The time last year, when Suwarrow won, was 2min. 45secs., only two seconds difference. There can be no doubt as to the fact of the winner of the Cup being a ,^mnd horse, and Mr W. A. Long is to be congratulated upon his good luck. He must have been handled nicely, and strange to say that his attendant in the Derby race on Saturday kept in his wake, on Tuesday for the Cup, but failed to overhaul him, and was a length behind as they passed the judge's box. The Derby stake amounted last year to £1160, and fell to the lot of Mr .Robert Howie. This year the ring laid so heavily on the favorites that the betting market was almost paralysed. The scene at TattersalFs at midnight on Monday was one, of the utmost excitement. Crowds thronged the pavement in front of the building, and so great was it at one time that it extended into the street, but in consequence of Grand Flaneur, Progress, and Lord Burghley being such firm favorites the business in the betting market was very meagre. The exodus to the course began long befoie noon on Tuesday, the rail, road, and river being all well patronised — several steamers plying on the Saltwater River, where ample provision had been made for the landing of passengers. From early morning long lines of foot passengers might have been seen wending thsir way to the scene of action, which bore a most animated appearance before the day advanced. Those who had taken time by the forelock secured the best vantage points and dared not leave them for fear of their claim being jumped. The Hill was one dense mass of human beings, and the whole of the Flat was pretty well stocked with those who preferred the grassy plain to the more exalted positions. The attendance on the Grand Stand was one of the most brilliant ever witnessed on the Flemington course, and the dresses worn by the ladies on the hwn were most superb, whilst dotted here and there a charmer arrayed most jrorgcously might have been seen. The Marquis of Normanby, Sir William Jervois, and the Duke of Manchester were amongst the spectators. There could not possibly be a grander sight than to sec so many people together — people of all shades of opinion — who had cast business aside for the day, fraternising together, and bent upon keeping the holulav as it should be. It is not to be wondered at that Mata was held in such favor when it is considered that £70,000 of the public money was on him. In the preliminary canter, a few minutes before the start, the favorites — Progress, Grand Flaneur,andLord Burghley— were the most admired, and as they moved towards the starting point cheer after cheer was given. The betting was 4 to 1 Progress ; Grand Flaneur, Lord Burghley, and Mata, 5 to 1 ; and Richmond, Napper Tandy, and Auckland, 12 to 1. The winner was ridden by Hales, who also landed him winner for the Derby ; young St. Albans rode Progress ; Pigott, Lord Burghley ; and Mata was steered by Clifford. There was tremendous cheering over the result, and the ring have been heavily hit, but lighter than what it would have been had Mata or the son of Angler won. We must not omit to mention that the winner of the Cup has never been beaten. The first race was set down for 1 o'clock but long after that, and right up to the start for the Cup, the visitors continued to arrive, and at the time the " big" event was decided, it was estimated that between 90,000 and 100,000 people were present. The colonies were well represented, New Zealand especially, this no doubt being in consequence of the Exhibition, -which has been the means of drawing thousands to the Metropolis. Amongst the distinguished visitors were the Commissioners representing the different Courts at the Exhibition, who no doubt, must have been taken by surprise at the immense gathering congregated together at a race meeting 1 on this fide of the globe, and who will carry back with them to their homes, long -lasting impressions of a " Cup Day in Melbourne." The Timber of acceptances this year was the poorest for a long time, and this accounts for the fact of only 23 facing the starter. The betting fraternity was largely represented, but it is stated that they have not netted so much this year as last. Still there is another clay's racing for them, Saturday next, when the chief event of the wind up will be the Steeplechase. Of the race for the Cup, little more can be said than that given below. The Derby winner is always looked to as a hot member for the Cup, and those who stuck to him have been well repaid. The total amount of money paid over at the conclusion of last year's Cup meeting amounted to £11,775. What the sum will be this year remains to be seen, but there is every probability of it bearing favourable comparison with that of the past year. Directly the Cup race was over a general stampede for town was made, and by half-past six o'clock the course was clear, and left only to those who had duties to perform. In the evening the city presented a gay appearance, and those who had availed themselves of the general holiday, wound up the day's sport by attending either the opera or theatres, which were crowded. The following is the result of the day's racing : — Maiden Plitb, a sweepstake of lOsova. each, b. ft., with 200 added. For three-year-old and upwards. Weight for age. (hie mils and a«half .

E. De Mestre's b c Orient, 3yrs, by Fireworks — Sunshine ... ... 1 J. Fitzroy's b or br Exeter, 3yrs, by Panic— Lady Exeter 2 S. Mahon's br c Heron, 3yrs, by Yattendon — Rosemary 3 Rail-way Stakes, a sweepstake of osovs. each, with 100 added. For three-year-old and upwards. Weight for Age. Winner of any race (not a handicap) of the value <5f lOOsovs. to carry 71bs. extra ; of two or more such races, 14lbs. extra. One mile and a quarter. F. Long's b h Monarque, oyra I C. Tatjbersall's b c Dougalston, 3yrs . . 1 J. Whittingham's br c Chatterer, 3yrs 3 Monarque and Dougalston ran a dead heat. .Kensington Stakes, a sweepstakes of lOsovs. each, h. 'ft., with 200 added. For two-year-old colts, Sst. 51bs. ; fillies, Bst. The winner to be Bold for 300sovs. Five furlongs. (No selling allowances.) R. Howie's b c The Dake ,by King Cole — Frou Frou 1 W. Branch's b c Baltic, by King of the I Ring — Seaspray 2 J. Whittingham's b c My Lord by the Peer — Minnie Warren 3 The Darling Stakes, a sweepstakes of ssovs each, with 100 added, for 3yrs old and upwards. Weight for age. One mile and a half. The winner to be sold for 200sovs. (No selling allowances. ) D. Sullivan's bl q Supple Jack, 6yrs . . 1 F. Dakin's b c La Trobe, 2yra 2 W. A. Long's brcHildebrandt,3yrs .. 3 The two first horses ran a dead heat. Six horses started. Time, 2min, 44secs.

The Cup. A Handicap Sweepstakes of 20sovs each, 10 forfeit, or 5 if declared, with 500 added. The winner of any handicap race of the value of lOOsovs after the declaration of the weights to carry Slbs extra ; of any such race of the value of 200sovs bsls extra ; of any such race of the value of oOOsovs 71bs extra. Penalties not accumulative. The second horse to receive 200aovs, and the third, lOOsovs out of the stakes. Two miles. (100 subs). Mr W. A Long's b c Grand Flaneur, 3yrs by Yattendon — Frst Lady, 6st lOlbs (Hales) 1 Mr W. Branch's b c Progress, 3yrs, by Angler— Coquette, ost ...(St Albans) 2 Mr F. R. L. Rossi's br h Lord Burghle y> syrs, by Yattendon — Lady Constance, 7st 51bs (Piggot) 3 Mata went off with the lead, accompanied by Chester, Secundus, and Auckland. Bosworth Martindale, Richmond three last away. Falling into the straight Napper Tandy was showing front, with Progress, Auckland, Lothair, Woodlands, Totalisator, and Grand Flaneur. The lead was held successfully by Totalisator, Riverton aucl Napper Tandy, Mata keeping in front of the cluster throughout the whole race. On entering th 9 straight Lord Burghley was leading with Progress, Grand Flaneur close on, folio wed by Auckland, Richmond, Chester, Mata, Riverton, Martindale, Wandering Jew, Rivalry, and Secnncius being last in coming home. Grand Flaneur went to the front when about 200 yards from the winning post, and came in an easy winner by a length from Progress, who beat Lord Burghley by half-a-length ; then Lothair, Richmond, Chester, Auckland, Marti ud ale, Mata, Riverton, Wandering Jew, Rivalry, Totalizator, First Water, Napper Tandy, Socuudus, Rothschild, Woodlands, Ela&tic, Banter, Bosworth, Darriwell. Time— 3 mins. 34 1 sees., three seconds longer than last year. Twenty-three started — Banter, Auckland, Secundus, Napper Tandy, Grand Flaneur, Woodlands, Elastic, Lothair, Progress, Martindale, Totalizator, Bosworth, Darriwell, First Water, Rivalry, Rothchild, Chester, Mata, Richmond, Lord Burghley, Wandering Jew, and Riverton.

There was considerable excitement in "Waikato over the race, in fact throughout I the colony, and quite a rush was made for the Waikato Times Extra when published as a great number of persons had taken tickets in the "big sweeps" got up in Auckland, Hamilton. Wellington, and Dunedin, and were anxious to know the result. We have heard of several fortunate winners amongst us, still there are a great many who are losers to some extent, more or less. However, it's no use crying over spilt milk, and those who did not draw a lucky number will be again tempted when the circulars are issued for another year.

Steam i\ Horses.— When I look at my steam engine, of nominal 6 -horse power, and see how efficiently it has done its work tor more than thirty years, I begin to calculate how much would have been my loss in horses by death, accidents, and wear in that long period. Look at the full cost to begin with. I paid £160 for the engine and boiler, or £25 per horse period. Within the last few years I oxchanged the boiler for a larger one. We cannot work our horses longer than six to seven hours per day— this engine frequently worked for twice that number of hours ; therefore, for all purposes requiring power, including cultivators, we should use steam as an economy, taking oare in cultivation, to use it properly. I said years ago, and repeat it now, that no arable farm of 150 acres should be without a steam engine and millstones, assuming that plenty of live stock are kept, or purchased food and hay, straw, &c —J. J. Mechi. The London papers are requested to announce that the Prince of Wales was compelled by his numerous engagements to abandon with regret hia intention of visiting the Australian colonies on the occasion of the Melbourne Exhibition. The Prince greatly desired to carry out th,e arrangement if possible.

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The following is a complete list of all ' the winners of the Melbourne Cup up to the present : —