PHAR LAP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21348, 30 May 1931, Page 18

PHAR LAP

IN GOOD CONDITION AGAIN Recently-circulated reports that credit Phar Lap with but faint hope of ever again regaining his form are pure imagination, says the Australian writer, C. J. Graves. , Phar Lap was never in better shape than he is at present. He is a perfect monument of strength, and is only waiting at Bacchus Marsh the termination of another two weeks of his rest before commencing a preparation having as its direct objective the Sydney spring carnival. Also it can be taken for granted that the kidney trouble so common to racehorses in training with which Phar Lap was assailed during the few days before the C. M. Lloyd Stakes, and which persisted for some time subsequently, has been entirely eliminated. Innocently enough, the handlers of the horse_ were partially responsible for the disquieting news about his condition. No such intention was meant when an affirmative reply was given by one in authority to a question from an interviewer which was pre-charged with doleful suggestions about Phar Lap and his future. This marks the starting point of the story which culminated in the canards that consigned Phar Lap to a premature oblivion. Happily there was no truth about them, and his legion of well-wishing admirers can safely look forward to seeing the gallant chestnut delighting them with his amazing galloping prowess again next season. As to the cause of Phar Lap’s trouble, many theories have been advanced, and among them the severity of the Futurity Stakes effort is the most popular. Incidentally. Harry Telford is oft-times quoted as subscribing to this view, but this is altogether wrong. The week following the Futurity Stakes he gave no sign to his attendants that the race had hurt Phar Lap. He was worked as usual during that week. Obviously enough any defect in the great racing machine must have, been noticed.

On the Wednesday following, 10 days after the Futurity Stakes, it, however, became apparent to his trainer that something was amiss owing to his cramped action. The trouble was minutely watched, and unquestionably determined to be a kidney disorder. The usual remedy was adopted. Phar Lap was given the customary purgative. By Friday the horse had seemingly recovered, but Telford was unwilling to take any risk, and, although to, all intents and purposes Phar Lap seemed fit to run in the C. M. Lloyd Stakes on the ensuing day, his trainer took an additional safeguard and besought the assistance of Jim Pike to find out exactly the horse’s condition, by sprint, fng him on the morning of the race. Pike did so, and reported to Telford that his belief that Phar Lap was never freer in his action, nor did anything ominous betray itself before the race to the many keen-eyed critics who particularly looked for it.

But when obliged to jump off from the standing start which the Lloyd Stakes entailed Phar Lap plainly showed that his kidneys were troubling him. A fact .made patent by the semi-paralysis he displayed in the initial stage of the race. Describing his viewpoint to Telford, Pike likened Phar Lap’s efforts to commence as being identical with those of a hobbled horse. Thus it is apparent that a superficial ailment and not some supposed mysterious injury gripped Phar Lap, for he triumphed over the original setback by running a meritorious race, even though he suffered defeat. The fortnight’s rest he was immediately given at Bacchus March in order to eradicate the poison from his system did not have the desired effect, because he was being kept in racing trim during his recess, instead of being turned completely out. But no mistake was made when on resumption from his temporary let up the kidney malady again showed itself. It was tackled without restraint. As a result Phar Lap’s constant guardian, T. Woodcock, says that the wonder horse is totally rid of his disability. A mild scare developed when it was resolved to bleed Phar Lap, and the process had proved injurious, according to report, but beyond having the customary ■effect inducing temporary listlessness, Woodcock discovered no other disquieting factor. Quickly, too, according to his statement, Phar Lap recovered all his oldtime virility. He soon showed a full possession of equine energy when gambolling around his domain. He is now acting as if tired of his enforced holiday, and is eager for work. If tlig private track at Braeside, where Harry Telford is quartered, is deemed suitable after Phar Lap concludes his spell, he will probably commence his spring preparation on that secluded property, and unless anything very unforeseen eventuates Phar Lap, at its conclusion, will be the same dominant figure, with the colours up as ever he was.