NOTES BY PHAETON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21076, 9 January 1932, Page 7

NOTES BY PHAETON.

"A GREAT ADVENTURE." PHAR LAP'S TRIP TO MEXICO. CAREFUL PREPARATIONS. When the transportation of Phar Lap to Mexico with a view to contesting tho Aguas Caliente Handicap was first mooted last November it, was referred to as a great adventure, for it entailed a lons sea voyage and also a long journey by train. Then the climatic change has also to be taken into account:, although in that connection it can bo said that plans have been carefully laid to give tho horse every possible chance, so that " tho great adventure" may bring the golden return aimed at. The foresight shown, is evidenced by the fact that Phar Lap was taken off the ship at Rarotonga this week to allow him the benefit of a stretch ashore. One of tho most enthusiastic admirers of Phar Lap is Dr. Stewart McKay, of Sydney, who is widely acknowledged to be one of tho foremost authorities on everythins appertaining to the thoroughbred family and of racing in the southern hemisphere, and he regards Phar Lap's prospects in the big handicap to be run in Mexico next March in a most optimistic spirit. In a recent interview with a representative of the Sydney Referee he stated that he considered Phar Lap was " just the horse for the job." He pointed out that Phar Lap would have from nine to ten weeks to -ffet ready, and they could easily give him a run on the course in some race before the big event. Dr. McKay further remarked " The firm ground will let him take off—that is, spring at each stride with his hindlegs—and, as he is a good beginner and will start from a patent machine where other horses cannot touch him, and the field will number 25 or more, he will be able to take up a good position early. And then Heaven help the horse that tries to run him down with about 9.3 on board (the maximum weight is 9.5 in this race). I believe he can run the mile and a-quarter in 2min. lam sure lie is goinj: to be a great success." It was at first stated that the value of tho Aguas Caliente Handicap would be the same as it was last year, namely, £20.000. but a recent cablegrau announced that, owing to financial sUinge'icy, the stake would bo only £10.'300. No doubt this would come as a V .g uuzprise to Phar Lap's connections, br> Mi:. D. J. Davis, partowner of tVirt : champion, is credited with saying lh?i tho reduced prize-money will not e'eara in the way of Phar Lap fulfilling hi» < jgagement. That announcement will s r i'o to keep up a very keen interest in ihe prospects of the New Zealand-bred horse in the far-away land.

TWO-YEAR-OLD WINNERS. ENGLISH AND AUSTRALIAN. The outstanding feature of the two-year-old races on the English turf last year was the unbroken series of successes registered by the Gainsborough—Golden Hair colt, who raced unnamed. The following is the. statement of the slakes won by leading tw(»-year-old performers in England and Australia:— ENGLAND. . Gainsborough—Golden Hair colt . . £19,468 Donovan, by Galopin £16.487 Tiffin, by The Tetrarch . . . . £13.307 Mumtaz Mahal, by The Tetrarch. . £11,763 The Tetrarch, by Roi Herode .. £11,336 AUSTRALIA. Mollison, by Seremond ... >. £17,318 Royal Feast, by King OITa . . . . £13.119 Heroic, by Valnis £11.301 1 The windings of the American-bred filly Top Flight tliir>year are assessed at £45,625,: which stands as a world's record. LOTTERY OP THE SALE-RING. BATCn OF COSTLY FAILURES. The purchases of yearlings made by the Aga Khan in England provide much to ponder over, for they bring out in pointed form the lottery of the sale-ring. Saleve. a highly-bred eon of Spion Kop, who was bought by tho Aga Khan for 0000 guineas, failed to gain ft place in a selling raco run at "Worcester in November, and he was subsequently sold for 30 guineas. Nushirawan, a son of Solario. who cost 4500 guineas when bought ns a yearling, was quitted for 55 guineas. Aftsb, by Papyrus, a 10,000 guineas purchase, was sold for 125 guineas, and Farman, by Phalaris, who cost 9100 guineas, realised 105 guineas. STUD ITEMS. IN-BRED TO ST. SIMON. Jaloux, who brought off a surprise victory in the Summer Cup at Elle.rslie last week, is closely in-bred to the St. Simon line. His sire, Sutala, is by Elysian, son of So'ult and grandson of St. Simon, whilo his dam. Egotism, is by Demosthenes, son of Desmond and grandson of St. Simon. CLIFFORD PLATE WINNER. Gny Crest, who defeated the Great Northe.rn Derby winner. Bronze Eagle, in the Clifford Plate, is an Australian-bred gelding by Shillinglee, a son of Llangibby. On each side of his pedigree Gay Crest can boast a strain of Musket through noteworthy channels. Stop Her. the granddam of Shillinglee., is a daughter of Carbine, while Hoopoe, dam of Gay Crest, in" a daughter of Achilles, who is by Medallion, son of Nordenfeldt. "When a yearling Gay Crest was bought for 100 guineas, nnd he can thus be regarded as a bargain of tho sale-ring. SOLARIO AS A SIRE. The ownership of a stallion held in hich favour means a large revenue to the luckv owner. Sir John Rutherford was once iompfed with an offer of £IOO.OOO for Solario. but he refusod it, and has since been well rewarded, for Solario's list has been full each year at a feo of 500 guineas. A collection of four yearlings bv Solario submitted at auction in England last year was sold for 9200 guineas. THE CRAZE FOR SPEED. In referring to the paucity of stayers on the turf, a leading Melbourne writer says:—"Many of the two-year-olds this season further emphasise tho craze of too many studmasters to breed horses simply for speed. It is this policy which is gradually making tho stayer in Australia almost a vanishing race. This is a lamentable feature to record, but. unfortunately, it is too apparent on racecourses to-day." A MOOT POINT. " "Who knows anything about racing or breeding?" queries 1 recognised authority on matters associated with tho breeding of racehorses and racing. " Some know more than others," he continues. 1 and they only know how littlo is known Several years ago some of the breeders in Kentucky claimed that too many yearlings were being bved for the good of the business of the sales. They formed a company, and, after buying all the cheap mares they could find, sold them to non-ra'cing people for the breeding of mules or anything to ' get them out of the way.' Soon alter the Bpeedy ccdt Garry Herrmann appeared. Then there was a scramble to locate his dam. She had been one of the ' condemned' mares sent into exile. " A similar case was that of Fitz Herbert. After ha had beaten all the best horses in An/erica and won the Suburban, there was a wild hunt to find his dam. She, like Garry Herrmann's dam, was one of the exiled mares. No trace of her could be found. The wiseacres had condemned her and sent her into obscurity. Thus, after all, the wisest know but littlo when the subject concerns (ho production of the best racehorses. And .therein lies its charm. The tyro is often able to attain success which is denied the expert—the eport is a great leveller."