EMULATING PHAR LAP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 25, 31 January 1933, Page 10

EMULATING PHAR LAP.

EMPIRE HORSES FOR MEXICO,

INTERNATIONAL FREE-FOR-ALL

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

SAN FRANCISCO, January 12. The memorable victory won by that great New. Zealand racehorse champion Phar Lap, at Agua Caliente, Mexico, last year, when the noted gelding yon the Derby Handicap in epochal style from a noteworthy field of the best horses on the North American continent, appears to have stirred the imagination of all American racegoers, and, directly after the passing of Ph{ir Lap, a wish was expressed "from the Atlantic to the Pacific seaboards for some worthy successor of the redoubtable champion from " down under " to be brought to the United States to perpetuate the memory of the dead king of the turf and carry on where Phar Lap left off.

It was obviously with this thought in mind that the owner of Phar Lap, Mr. David J. Davis, of San Francisco, California, ~ recently embarked on a transPacific steamer and hied himself to the Antipodes, where he had triumphed many times on the racecourses of Australasia. Entry From Enyland. Some time later came-the news that Mr. Davis was shipping Pillow Fight to Agua Caliente for the 1933 edition of the Caliente Handicap,, for the 50,000 dollar plum of the meeting, -which will consist of an international free-for-all, on March 26. Confirmation of this aspect came from London, England, in .a cablegram to Judge Christopher J. Fitzgerald, presiding steward, to the effect that Boy Painter, a son of Gainsborough and Campbell Kid, had been shipped from England. New York bound. This noted horse has just arrived in Agua Caliente, where he is being prepared by his owner, George B. Towne, of San Francisco, for the interesting March Derby. A. J. Richardson, the big Australian who came to San Francisco's racecourse at Tanforan during the autumn meeting representing himself as the agent for Mr. C. C. Sheath, owner of the AustralianNew Zealand turf champion, Ammon Ra, was such an agent without authorisation, it was learned at Agua Caliente, where a letter was received by R. E. Leighninger, publicity director of the Mexican (racecourse, to that effect. Since the coming of Phar Lap to the United States, then Mexico, for the 50,000 dollar Agua Caliente Handicap of 1932 there have been all kinds and sizes _of Australian and New Zealand horses coming to North America. Ammon Ra, because of his string of successes and the rightful successor .to the "red terror," was the first one selected. It was reported the horse would come to Tanforan for racing, then go East for the various big events. s- Successor to Phar Lap.

What impresses the American turf fans more than anything is the fact that the new racehorse acquired by Mr. David Davis comes of the same strain as Phar Lap, Pillow Fight being the son of Night Raid, the same horse that sired Phar Lap. It was originally intended for Pillow Fight to be unloaded in San Francisco, but due to the fact that he was to be placed, in training immediately and needed the conditionings little time .was wasted in landing. Accordingly, by coming to Wilmington, near Los Angeles, in Southern California, it was estimated the liner of the Matson Steamship Company, Mariposa, would save a day and a half. As this is being written the Mariposa is nearing the Pacific coast with the famous racehorse safely aboard.

• Already the nomination of Pillow Fight . has been accepted by the officials of Agua ' Caliente racecourse, and the requisite fees ' have been paid. With the two New Zea--1 land leading horses and the English entry of Boy Painter, together with the best American and Canadian thoroughbreds entered for the classic Caliente Derby, there is promised a " race of the century." WILLIAMSTOWN RACES. KING COLOSSUS SECOND. MELBOURNE, January 30. At the Williamstown races to-day, the principal event resulted:— Australia Day Cup.—Mural Crown, 8.4 (Dewhurst), 1; Kiug Colossus (N.Z.), 8.4 (Badger) 2; Sartaress, 6.13 (Little), 3. Fifteen started, including R-ulanut. Neck; head. Time, 2.7 J. E. MANSON SUSPENDED. ANOTHER RIDER FINED. At the conclusion 6f the Rangitoto Hack Handicap, won by Pelting, yesterday, the stewards held an inquiry into _ incidents which happened during the running of the race. After hearing the evidence the license of E. Manson, rider of United, was suspended for 14 days, it being held that Manson had crossed over to the rails when his mount was less than its own length and one other clear length in front. E. A. Keesing, rider of Valpai, was severely censured for checking his mount too quickly when rounding the turn by the seven furlongs post, and he was fined £5 for tendering unsatisfactory evidence. A GOOD RECEPTION. Recognising that Paganelli was unlucky, in the Suburban Handicap when he missed' the jump out and then put up a good effort to finish third the crowd gave Mr. M. J. Carroll's horse a great reception when he came out in the Anniversary Handicap, the concluding event, and, with 10.7 on his back, won like a real racehorse. To win Paganelli galloped the seven furlongs in the smart time of 1.26 1-5, and it would seem that the son of Lord Quex is as good now as ever he was.