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1948 Caulfield Cup: Red Fury's Sensational Victory and Backlash
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
30-Mar-2026
Lot No.
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Description:
The 1948 Caulfield Cup engraved "Caulfield cup 1948 - won by - Messrs A.W. Steele & M. Ress & Exors. Estate of late H. Hills - ch h red Fury - Trainer J. Flannery - rider W. Briscoe", the magnificent solid 9ct gold twin-handled cup of 654gms; raised on turned wooden plinth is overall 41.5 cm high. Accompanied by two hand coloured framed photographs of the horse and jockey and the finish of the race. Provenance: The family of part-owner M. Ress, by descent. "Sensational Win by red Fury Howe, de La Salle Placed in Caulfield Cup Melbourne, October 16 "Bustling -Billy" Briscoe rode against his instructions for a sensational win on red Fury in the Caulficld cup to-day. The former Queensland jockey brought 80,000 people to their feet as he raced away from the field in the last 50 yards. Finishing full of running, red Fury beat sensationally-backed New Zealander Howe by one and a quarter lengths. Sydney mare, de La Salle, was two lengths away third. After the rousing victory, a part of the crowd jeered and hooted as red Fury returned to the scales. They recalled red Fury's failure when Howe beat him out of-a place in the Herbert power Handicap over the same distance and on the same footing a week earlier. Counter cheers from the balance of the crowd brought an end to one of the worst demonstrations at Caulfield for some years. No demonstration was less deserved, for red Fury was badly interfered with a week ego and today ran right up to his form before that race. Red Fury was backed down from 25 to 1 to 16 to 1 in some places to-day. Because of on-course backing for a fortune, Howe started favourite after ousting the heavily-backed Saxony, and Da La Salle. Briscoe had been told to ride ''go to the front,", but he rode red Fury from behind. His judgment was vindicated when red Fury began to flash for home full ot vigour. The field took five furlongs to sort itself out, even the plodder. Proctor, had a role as pacemaker. Munro on Howe was forced to go to the front to save ground. He was left outside a field stretched across the track from a bad barrier position. Howe made a mighty effort to win over 'The last seven furlongs, and beat all but the fighting red Fury." ["The Northern Miner", Charters Towers, Monday 18th October, 1948] "Red Fury in Thrilling Caulfield cup Victory Caulfield. Red Fury swept up on the outside in the Caulfield cup just when the favourite, Howe, appeared to have the race well won, and easily defeated that horse and won by 1¼ lengths from Howe with de La Salle a good third. Red Fury's win was received with mixed feelings by the crowd and on returning to scale there was a hostile reception. Howe, backed in sensational fashion and in front for the last half mile, was outstayed by red Fury who won his first race this season and only the fourth of his career. For the first time in Caulfield cup history, the hooting of the winner continued while red Fury's owners'were being presented with the gold cup trophy. Thousands of people packed round the enclosure and gave vent to their feelings as red Fury's owners stood waiting for the cup presentation." ["The Barrier Miner, Broken Hill, Saturday 16th October, 1948]
Estimate:
***
Price:
***
Category:
Memorabilia: Sporting - Horses