Phar Lap’s Rivals in Mexico

Horowhenua Chronicle, 23 November 1931, Page 3

Phar Lap’s Rivals in Mexico

ELABORATE PREPARATIONS TOR CHAMPION Received Sunday, 9.50 p.m. NEW YORK, Nov. 21. A report from Agua Caliente state* that inquiries reveal that Phar Lap will apparently be given every opportunity to meet his opponents under the best conditions on March 20. He will be housed in a special stable, which has sheltered some of the most famous horses of the American turf. The Australian champion will be accorded every special privilege possible in an effort to enable his easy acclimatisation, Mr. Harry Pollok, events chairman, stated: “I have arranged that the owners may bring all Phar Lap’s own feed oats, grain, hay and chaff, and possibly his own water. We have received no word of the probable date of his arrival, but intend to have a representative meet him at San Francisco to assist in his transfer to Agua Caliente. We have already arranged that there shall be no difficulty in crossing the Mexican border and are assured of the best possible conditions on the trip. “Much depends on the horse and the length of time he is trained here, but, given sufficient time, I see no reason why the climate should hold Phar Lap back.” Mr. Pollok refused to hazard a guess concerning the probable odds on the racer or the weight to be assigned. “The scale for five-year-olds at that time of the year at Agua Caliente is 9.3. That is what Sun Beau carried last year. 1 do not believe a foreign horse could be handicapped more.” He asserted that all horses would be under a heavy guard for protection. He stated that no fears had yet been expressed by American trainers concerning Phar Lap’s invasion. “Rather they are interested in seeing what the outcome will be. All are taking precautions, however,” ho added. Some of Phar Lap’s probable opponents will be Vanderpool, Plucky Play, Night Patrol, Funfire, Bargello, Revel Boy and the Canadian champion, Marine.