Sweep

 

 The 1883 Melbourne Cup which was won by 

Martini-Henry, ridden by J. Williamson. 

From the original edition of the Illustrated Sydney News.

[Sweep]

 

They’re off Blinkered Gambler

and Blood Sport start well

with Hyper Announcer making the running

 

Late Scratching, Careless Riding

on the first turn spread out

with Whip Suspension and Tamarisk Row.

 

As they settle in it’s Bob Each Way

Have A Flutter, Sure Thing,

Left At The Post, Dodgy Bookie

 

Blew My Dole Cheque looking good

Better In The Wet, Finding Form

and forget the rest.

 

Now Jonathan Swift is moving up

on the far side Houyhnhnm in the box seat

and Yahoo looks a threat but oh dear

 

Glue Factory’s in trouble

it seems to have had a fall and

with it Careless Riding and Whip Suspension.

 

It’s Pompous Trainer, Own Your Owner

Carrot And Stick, Lady Muck, Super Swooper

turning into the straight and oh

 

it’s Drunken Punter and Lady Muck

Drunken Punter and Lady Muck

Drunken Punter and Lady Muck

 

neck and neck nose to nose

they’re at it hammer and tongs

but on the outside yes

 

it’s the New Zealander

No Illusions what did I tell you

the champion a bat out of hell

 

passes Wibbly Wobbly

Mr Ed, Fat Chance, Warned Off

and Write Your Own Ticket, the stayer

 

crosses the line easily ahead of

Correct Weight, Sudden Plunge

and forget the rest.

Sweep

Carol rakes in $30 in this year’s home sweep, for a win and a place. She has the brown mare Verry Elleegant, the way the name is pronounced inside the Enclosure after five glasses of Moët & Chandon. But also then, Spanish Mission, a much more circumspect name, unsurprisingly one of her six choices. Obsidian, who slept through the whole thing, goes home with $10 thanks to Incentivise. Conversation centres on what treat to buy Obsidian with $10 and are cats capable of incentivization. Our [sweep] mocks gambling, with Bridie and Philip paying the debts and deincentivised to bother again.