THE LATE MR R. PHILLIPS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2675, 21 June 1905, Page 54

THE LATE MR R. PHILLIPS.

The history of the late Mr Robert Phillips, who, a few years back, was well known in Victoria as the "South Mcl bourn ire," is printed in several Australian papers. In its earlier stages th© usual ups and downs of a turfite's career read common enough, but after he won the Adelaide Cup with Tarquin the tragically-pathetic pait of his life commenced. After thai win he visited Melbourne and Sydney, and on returning to Perth' his eyesight, began to trouble him. Consulting a medical gentleman he was advised to sell his horses, take a sea trip, go on to Germany, and consult an eminent eye specialist. He followed pars of the prescription, let the horses go, crossed to Melbourne, and saw another eminent eye man. The latter told him to follow his old active life, and Mr Phillips decided to take up horse racing, and to go about among his fellows. By this time he knew that nothing could avert his heavy calamity, for the blindness was surely, if slowly, setting in, but he found resignation to submit to it. Abundance ran at Flemington as a two-year-old, and Mr Phillips at the close of the meeting purchased him from Mr J. Wilson at 1000 guineas, we think (says an exchange), and handed him over to Frank M'Grath to train at Randwick. When the spring came round Abundance won the A.J.C. Derby for him, and going on to Melbourne captured the V.R.C. Derby. The paddock at Flemington has presented no sadder sight on Derby day than that man, blind, sitting beneath the elms, listening to the cheers that greeted his horse, hut unable to see his winner. A friend ruShed up to tell Phillips how Abundance won. He was the most collected man on the ground, and all that he said to his friend was, 'I knew he would win ; Frank has been telling me for weeks."' Abundance also captured two St. Legers, and he was the best horse he owned. Some time ago Mr Phillips's health failed him. He was in Sydney, and a cry arose of fire in the place he was staying. Ths deceased was alone, and tried to grope his way out of what he thought was a burning building. The shock to the nervous system upset him, and he had to relinquish horse racing for a time. The last trip he took was m the summer just past. The health of his wife, who had nursed him with unceasing care, broke down, and she went to Tasmania to recruit, and he made the iourney to bring her back to Melbourne. He was a wellliked man by those who knew him. Opinions may differ on this, but all risrhtthinking men will compassionately think of his awful tragedy.