GREAT AUSTRALIAN HORSES 35 



In the Melbourne Cup, Carbine was set to carry ten stone. Bravo, a six-year- 

 old son of Grand Flaneur, who had been much fancied, went lame a few days 

 before the race, was eased in his work, and went back in the betting to pretty 

 hopeless odds. Recovering, however, and most probably all the better for 

 the let-up, he won fairly easily from Carbine, with the consistent Melos third, 

 carrying eight twelve. 



When Carbine was saddled up for the Canterbury Plate on the last day 

 of the meeting, he had one of his fore feet quartered, and consequently he was 

 unable to show his best form, and for once in a way he was beaten out of a 

 place by Abercorn, Sinecure and Melos. His revenge came in the autumn. 

 In the Elssendon Stakes he beat Singapore, Melos, Bravo and Chintz, although 

 Melos and Dreadnought finished ahead of him in a slow-run Championship. 

 However, on the fourth day of the meeting he made ample amends by taking 

 the All-Aged Stakes, at a mile, from five two-year-olds, and the Loch Plate, 

 over two miles, from Singapore and Fishwife. "Three to one on Carbine." 

 Then came the Autumn Randwick Meeting. Here, in the Autumn Stakes, 

 Melos once more ran second to the great horse, with Dreadnought third. 

 Chintz, Antaeus and Federation also ran. The Sydney Cup, two miles, came 

 on the second day, and Carbine won easily. He carried nine stone nine, and 

 Melos, nine five, was out of a place. He ended his four-year-old efforts 

 with the All-Aged Stakes, the Cumberland Stakes — both on the same day — 

 and the A.J.C. Plate, three miles, in the last race beating Melos and 

 Dreadnought. The time occupied in running the distance was six minutes and 

 seven seconds, which, of course, was terribly slow. Carbine's last season was 

 almost, though unfortunately not quite, an unblemished blaze of glory. Briefly, 

 here is the list of his triumphs: The Spring Stakes, Randwick, beating Melos 

 and seven others; the Craven Plate, with Megaphone and Cuirassier behind 

 him. The time for the mile and a quarter v/as 2 min. 7 sec, a record at that 

 period. The Melbourne Stakes from a large field, including Melos, who must 

 have been heartily sick of the sight of his enemy's tail. The aforementioned 

 Melbourne Cup — the record Cup; the Essendon Stakes; the Champion Stakes, 

 beating on this occasion the risen sun amongst the three-year-olds, The 

 Admiral; the All-Aged Stakes; the Autumn Stakes, with only Highborn in 

 opposition at weight-for-age. In the great Melbourne race you must remember 

 that Highborn had carried six stone eight to the champion's ten five. On the 

 second day of this Randwick meeting. Highborn came out and won the Sydney 

 Cup, carrying nine stone three. This is perhaps the most convincing proof 

 that Carbine was very close akin to the super equine. But on the third day of 

 the gathering Carbine made his unlucky "lapsus pedis." In the All-Aged 

 Stakes, in slippery going, that very great miler. Marvel, beat him easily by 

 four lengths, at his favourite distance. Carbine was extremely disgusted. His 

 faithful and splendidly knowledgeable trainer, Walter Hickenbotham, had sent 

 him out that day without shoes, and he did not seem able to act. When the 

 clerk of the course rode up, as is the fashion in Australia, to escort Marvel into 

 the enclosure. Carbine "went for him" with open mouth. Revenge is sweet 

 indeed. Nor was it long delayed. In the second last race of the same after- 

 noon the pair again met at two miles, when, suitably shod, and w^ith seven 

 to four betted on him. Carbine came home seven lengths to the good. There 

 had been considerable excitement and applause when the black horse downed 

 the great gun at the mile, but when old Carbine fairly vindicated himself in 

 such smashing style, a generous and sporting public went wild with enthusiasm. 

 Hats, umbrellas, even field glasses, were thrown into the air, and the shouts 

 were deafening. Emotion like this, when money is not the incentive, is good. 



