THE MYSTERY TRAINER

Taranaki Daily News, 6 May 1932, Page 4

THE MYSTERY TRAINER

WOODCOCK AND PHAR LAP

SCEPTICS AT AGUA CALIENTE.

THE GREAT HORSE’S HOOF INJURY,

By H. A. Wolfe (“Cardigan”). (No. V.) Agua Caliente (Mexico), March (3.

On the mesa land bordering the broad, flat valley where the Tiajuana River wends its way, stands Agua Caliente, twenty-one miles from San Diego, one of California’s largest cities. ■ A bit of old Spain, the Americans are fond of calling it, where the climate is serene day after day, and where there are to be found all the facilities for recreation, health, and rest. Here, where a few years ago sage brush dotted the desert and prairie dogs howled, is now one of the finest playgrounds of the Americans. ' And it is here that/ Phar Lap made history. Not only did the , “Anzac Antelope,” as he is called, smash the track record in winning the Agua Caliente Handicap, of 50,050 dollars to the winner, but in winning he confounded the critics who expressed with decided emphasis that no horse, however good, could travel across the seas, get ready, and win a race, without first becoming accustomed to American conditions. . But the American trainers and horsemen who expressed that view did not know Phar Lap. They could not conceive his greatness, his adaptability, and his disposition which allowed him to have the race almost won before the start.

His appearance impressed everybody. Even the most grudging of critias could not but help expressing the view that he overshadowed the majority of American horses not only in size and scope but also in power and quality. They were enthusiastic concerning his action and the manner in which Woodcock looked after him, but they could not agree with the method Woodcock adopted of training him. . The idea of a horse travelling some thousands of miles a few weeks before a race and being trained for that event without first racing not only puzzled .’them, but caused them to be sceptical of Phar. Lap’s class and record. . Woodcock, always reserved, seemed to go more into his shell at Caliente. He selected for the Australian horse unpretentious, quarters at the end of a row of stables called “Poverty Row.” His own steeping quarters were adjacent to Phar Lap’s stall, while the other members of the Australian camp, Veterinary Surgeon W. Nielsen, and the jockeys, W. Elliott. and E.. Martin, were quartered close at hand. . As Phar Lap likes company a pony was secured, a,nd a portion of the wall dividing the next stall was knocked down- so that he could see- his mate. Woodcock purchased a huge white ’canvas, which he had erected in front ■of the stalls, not only for privacy, but to’keepl the -sun from Phar Lap’s box. No one was allowed to see the horse, as his stall was locked, and Woodcock had a certain, routine to which he adhered’ irrespective of the importance of the visitor who desired to have a peep at the Australian champion. Even D. J. Davis, part-owner, was rarely allowed to see the horse with "his rug Oil.

To . Americans accustomed to display Woodcock’s attitude was puzzling and caused a. little' feeling. ’ Ha was styled the ’mystery horse and the mystery trainer, but the criticism rolled off Woodcock like water off a duck’s back. He explained that he had brought the horse .to America to win the race, and he was not going to have people interfaring with his business. Add to this the usual Australian practice of galloping at dawn and the mystery was complete. Most of the American trainers are fond of the watch,, and they train their horses to run against time practically every galloping morning. Consequently they wait until the 'sun is up so that thhy can see' their horses properly. They could not fathom Woodcock’s system of pacework. They either trot or canter their • horses or gallop them for speed. ■ There is no half measures. Consequently when Phar Lap was continually doing long work with a brush home from the half-mile or three furlongs they imagined something was wrong. “It may be all right to train the horse that Way for a two mile race,” they said, “but for ten furlongs a horse must be sharpened up and made nippy. Phar Lap is being slowed down.” They' realised’ that Australian methods were different, but they could not agree that the methods were correct, and freely stated that if the horse won when being trained that way, they had no doubt that he was the world’s greatest racehorse. Woodcock did not deviate a’ hair’s width . from his pre-arranged plan, although Phar Lap’s unfortunate hoof injury caused him much worry and not a litle trouble. The horse’s preparation was seriously affected, and for a time there was a grave doubt whether he would be able to run.

Woodcock knew that the horse had settled" down well and was quickly “feeling himself” but ■ when the foot injury came along he also knew that he would be unable to give him the work that he planned to fit him for the great race. The injury was ■ first of all just a simple stone bruise an inch below the coronet on the off fore foot. Hot fomentations were applied, immediately, and the trouble eased, but when he was worked along a few days afterwards the foot opened and a crack developed’ which extended towards the frog. Another crack also formed two inches further round the hoof. Woodcock and Nielsen decided that the wisest plan was to have him shod with a bar shoe. But the horse was so freSh that when exercising he would return to his stable with the wound bleeding. Finally Nielsen decided on desperate measures. He administered a local anaesthetic and removed the whole of the quarter crack. He stripped the wall of the hoof, placed a small pipe inside to drain off the bad blood and pus, and then bound the foot with adhesive tape.

For a day Pliar Lap was lame, but each succeeding day he improved to an amazing extent, and with the foot deadened with cocaine he was able to be worked. . No risks were taken with the wound, and gradually as the day of the race approached it commenced to heal. However, the foot was tightly bound with tape for the race and the whole encased in a rubber band, while ho was shod with bar shoes on both fore feet.

Racing men need no telling the disadvantage under which a horse shod with bar shoes is under when racing, but Phar Lap’s great gameness and his will-to-win enabled him to triumph.