What year did the race horse Morse Code fall during the Melbourne Cup?

Answer 1

'Morse Code' trained by Lou Robertson fell in 1951 Melbourne Cup. The horse it was believed should have won the Melbourne Cup at least once in three attempts. It came third behind the Jim Cummings trained 'Comic Court' in 1950, fell in 1951 and and it was always Lou Robertson's personal belief that 'Morse Code' was 'pulled' in 1952. Whether that is true or not, for a form horse to run so badly and finish at the rear of the field seems odd when it started favourite ahead of winner 'Dalray'. Especially when 'Morse Code' stormed to victory two weeks later in the Williamstown Cup. If it wasn't obvious enough there were among the applause a few hoots and cries of "He's improved since the Melbourne Cup!!"

Morse Code was bred from St Magnus which Andrew Robertson, Lou Robertson's brilliant brother who specialised in bloodlines and breeding brought to Australia along with a horse with a similar bloodline, 'Manitoba'. Between St Magnus and Manitoba they sired over 200 thoroughbreds.

The other main horse from St Magnus was 'San Martin' who also should have won a Melbourne Cup. After winning the Derby in 1944, San Martin broke its leg coming out of the straight and unfortunately had to be destroyed immediately after the 1944 Melbourne Cup. Had it not broken a leg there was every likelihood it of it beating 'Sirius' that year. Both 'Morse Code' & 'San Martin' were trained by Hall of Fame trainer Lou Robertson