PHAR LAP SUPREME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20968, 3 September 1931, Page 7

PHAR LAP SUPREME.

WIN IN UNDERWOOD STAKES.

A REMARKABLE PERFORMANCE,

STABLE-MATE RUNS SECOND.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] MELBOURNE. August 27.

What are tho limits of Phar Lap's powers? Few would liko to answer that question after seeing him literally make hacks of his opponents in the Underwood Stakes at "Williamstown on Tuesday, the first weight-for-age race in tho new season.

Following his defeat by Waterline in the C. M. Lloyd Stakes at Flemington in the autumn, Phar Lap was given a good spell. He suffered rather acutely from kidney trouble, which was probably brought on as a result of his severe ordeal in tho Caulfield Futurity Slakes. However, the spell built him up again and ho returned to H. R. Telford's wlace at Bracsido in the best of health.

In coneequence of the unusually wet period, Telford was not able to give Phar Lap all the work he needed, and, realising that he was backward in condition, racing people were rather surprised when it was announced that Telford intended starting him at Williamstown. The betting reflected the general opinion that Phar Lap was not ready, for the better-conditioned Wise Force and Waterline were solidly backed agains him. On the day of the race Waterline developed slight lameness, but an examination by a veterinary surgeon revealed nothing moro serious than muscular trouble.

jßace Won Easily at End.

Of the six starters, three were bred in New Zealand—Phar Lap. Waterline and Glare. The last-named was not even remotely considered. Another 6tarter was Bondalina, a stable-mate of Phar Lap, who at her previous start ran aWay with a tjiree-year-old race at Caulfield. All eyes were on Phar Lap as he entered the course, and the reports that he was much above himself were confirmed. In racing parlance,. he was " as big as a bullock." In the absence of his usual pilot, J. Pike, the mount was given to W. Elliot", who had to put up two stone deadweight. Elliot was told not to knock, Phar Lap about unduly if he got into a hopeless position. Wise Force quickly went to the front and Phar Lap was allowed -to run along in fourth place. The champion showed no disposition to remain in that position, and. as soon as Elliot gave him his head, his great strides took him-up to the leader. The race was won at that stage, for after entering the straight Phar Lap simply lobbed along at hie ease to win in his accustomed style. To the intense surprise of many people. Wise Force was beaten home by Rcmdalina, who .showed herself to bo a filly approaching top class. An Enthusiatic Reception.

Probably never before has a crowd at Williamstown received a conquering hero with such enthusiasm- Cheers and handclapping greeted the champion Is he strode back to the mountins-yard. It was a moat remarkable performance in every way. A3 he was meeting much more seasoned horses and he made them look quite ordinary. In spite 4 of- his bulk, he was not in the least distressed, and the general opinion is that ho is as good, if not better,, than ever. \ < A .

Waterline was well up in the early Btages, but when the pace was clapped on he dropped out of it and could on'iy finish fourth.

Apart from the winner, Rondnlina attracted most attention. She is a well-set-up filly by the Son-in-Law horse Beau Fils from Donna Caroline, and is a likely contender for the V.R.C. Oaks and possibly other classics. Telford paid only 160 guineas for the. filly and he has already been fully recompensed for the outlay. Phar Lap remains a firm favourite for the Melbourne Cup. in spite of his burden of 10.10. Who will dare to say that he cannot win his second Melbourne -Cup ? . »

TOTALISATOR AND BOOKMAKERS

MOVEMENT IN TASMANIA.'

[F.ROM our own correspondent.]

MELBOURNE.' August 27,

While Melbourne ■ racegoers ' are asking themselves whether they like tho totulisator, an agitation is going on in Tasmania for the restoration of bookmakers. A measure legalising bookmakers in Tasmania was passed a few years ago, but the- Legislative Council rejected it-byu single vote. It is the general - opinion that such a measure will now be passed without difficulty. When the previous bill was rejected racing clubs were not unanimous on the -subject, but most racing men now realise that, as it is impossible to prevent bookmakers from operating,. thßre is> no reason w!hy' the Government and the clubs should not reap some financial benefit from their activities. It is not proposed to a'bolish" the totalisator, but to allow the machine and the bookmakers to operate si-de by side. _ ' It is unlikely that the totahsator in Melbourne will affect the big bookmakers seriously, but its introduction will probably drive most of the i lace and double bookmakers out of. existence. . ..Small bettors cannot liope to compete against the machine unless they make their odds particularly liberal, and'that is quite'out of the question. The totaliaator at .WjlUamßtown was opened on Tuesday and nearly £9OOO was put through' for. the. six * races, From the Mooneo Valley and Wilhamstown totalizators the Government has .received as Its share more. th{in .iIOOO. This will, be used for charitable purposes. (

DOPING ; ' CASE IN) SYDNEY.

HORSE WITHDRAWN FROM RACE.

S in » B "'duJT'tb°° h«™ b'S °Vm while in liia stall at Croydon oh the Tuesday night, says.the Sydney Morning HeralJ. Mr R A. Stewart,; veterinary surgeon, of Canterbury, said that When examining the horse he found a distinct upper Seen displayed tho 6 customary symptoms of Jj orf, o th^ t^ ad _ hPPn doned. and he advised the owneitrlinei, Mr! J- Johnson, to relieve him of the afternoon's engagement Mr. Johnson informed Mi. Stewart that have any 'serious suspicions until afterMh liovse had worked at Caiiterbuiy lai • Seldom Seen did not appear to relish bis light lask, and was not himself when lie was pulled up. It was then that Mr. Johnson noticed the swelling on t . h6l . •.Seldom Seen is a six-year-old Bflding py Nassau from Light Opera. At toe.bMinning of the month ho won a third division of a Flying Handicap at Kensington by three-quarters of a. length. .

NOTES FROM EVERYWHERE

TRACK AND STABLE GOSSIP.

Mm T Deeley, mother of (lie late B. Deeley, died in Palmerston North last Saturday at . the age ot 81.

The steeplechasers Copey and Airtight, owned and trained by J. Fryer at Eawera. have been turned out for a spell.

7 Andrews, after about a year's absence from the saddle u's a result of an nendent is again engaged in riding work at Wingatui

H Ellis, who acted as private trainer to the' late Sir George' McLean, has again started training at Wingatui, where be has El Boa and another under his char„e.

Aussie, who has returned "to a sncll. has a new trainer. J. i no e nix now has him in hand *V Randwick, and he will try to wir. hurdle races with him—perhaps steeplechases later.

kSSJSS, '° b tr compete. His ofMoreleg has been givxin, trouble and was blistered last week.

Rascal and Royal Mint, fr.'-' S. Ban s stable at Riccarton. and Gold - 111 - 1 $ by H. Nurse wil) compete at the Hunt' Club's meeting on Saturday.' They may remain at "Wingatui for as they have been nominated for the Dunedin Jockey Club's meeting.

The jookey L. .T. Ellis has returned to his home •in-InveroftrgUl after bis torn? ®P el J."} hospital in Dunedin and was an interested apeotafor at the trafcka ta^3aturday., lie has still to resort to crutches, but be is making good progress and hopes to be back riding work in a ccpuple of weeks Bnd to be fit for race riding in about a montii.