PHAR LAP WILL NOT START IN BIG CUP, TRAINER STATES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18887, 11 October 1929, Page 3

PHAR LAP WILL NOT START IN BIG CUP, TRAINER STATES.

NEWS CAUSES SURPRISE AMONG RACING MEN. (Special to the “Star.”) SYDNEY September 30. “ Phar Lap will not run in the Melbourne Cup. this year.” That statement was made to-day by H. Telford, who has the gelding on lease and trains him at Kensington Phar Lap has already been supported heavily for the Cup, for which he has been equal favourite with Crucis. The owner of the horse, ignorant of the lessee’s intentions to-day backed Phar Lap for the Cup, but in view of the position was later permitted to cancel the wager. “ The stable has not a penny on him for the Cup,” said Telford, “and neither I nor anybody else with any authority, has advised anyone to back him. I know he has been excessively supported, and is equal favourite with Crucis, but those who stepped in and specked him did so at their own risk.

“ I will not take him out straight away, but you can Test assured that he will not go to the post. I am making this statement to save the small better, who may, perhaps, have a fancy for him. As to the big man, he is not considered, and any of those who have already backed him deserved to fall in. Nothing Wrong With Horse. “ There is nothing wrong with Phar Lap. After he contests the Derbies he will be turned out for a loifg spell. He is a big overgrown fellow, and 1 am of the opinion that he will not run out two miles. Even should he win the Derbies easily, he will not start in the Cup. I have him on lease for a good while yet, and as a four-year-old I am of the opinion that he will be a good proposition. To run him in so severe a race as the Cup might knock him out, and I am not one who will take a risk of ruining a good horse.” Telford’s statement created a great* stir in sporting circles to-day. Several racing men were inclined to the belief that the trainer could not be serious in his intention to withdraw the Derby favourite from the Melbourne Cup. and they backed up their ideas by supporting the gelding both straight-out and in doubles for substantial amounts. Phar Lap’s owner, Mr D. J. Davis, was among the cup supporters of the horse to-day, having backed him for a friend to win £IOOO from a leading

Sydnely bookmaker. Subsequently the bet was cancelled and two well-known Melbourne ringmen also let another backed off the bets he had made today about the horse. Owner in the Dark. Mr Davis confessed that he was ignorant of Telford’s intentions, and the fact of his supporting the horse was proof of this. “ I did not see Telford yesterday,” said Mr Davis, “ but I shall this afternoon or to-morrow. As he has the horse on lease he has the right to do whatever he pleases with him, and il he thinks it best to withdraw him from the cup I can have no say in the matter. If Telford can afford to miss the opportunity of winning the £IO,OOO prize I suppose I can sacrifice my share of it.” NEW ZEALAND HORSES GAIN MANY WINS. CUnlted Press Assn.— By Electrto Telegraph—Copyright.) SYDNEY, October 10. To-day’s racing sensations consist of the scratching of Karuma from the Caulfield Cup and the announcement that the New Zealand horse Paquito was going to Melbourne to compete in the Caulfield Cup, which is the subject, of favourable comment in all parts of the Commonwealth. Since August 1, the New Zealand trained horses now here have won fifteen races at Metropolitan and provincial meetings, fourteen seconds and eleven thirds.—Australian Press Association. nightmarch scratched. MELBOURNE, October 10. Nightmarch has been scratched for the Caulfield Cup.—Australian Press Association. TIMARU TROTTING CLUB. MEETING OF COMMITTL^. The committee of the Timaru Trotting Club met last evening, Mr John Hole presiding. The president of the New Zealand Trotting Conference wrote stating that the Westport Trotting Club had sustained damage to its buildings to the extent of £373 9s as a result of the earthquake, and asking the club to consider making a grant towards the cost of effecting repairs. The club decided to donate £lO. The secretary of the New Zealand Trotting Association wrote forwarding resolutions in connection with perform ances, programmes and class of races, horses, starting of wrong marks, and “Cup” races. Mr 11. H. Fraser said the matter wa.a serious one. Hardly any particularas to performances, etc., were given him on the nomination papers. The matter was left in the secretary “ hands. Mr G. Wardell’s motion, seconded by the chairman, that £SO be voted the Jockey Club to paint the rails around the enclosure, was defeated, and ai amendment by Mr Morton, seconded by Mr A. Anderson, that the matter of the grant be held over until after thr club’s March meeting, was carried. The programme for the Januar--1930 meeting on the same lines as lasi year’s meeting, with £l4lO in stake" was approved. Mr A. P. Greenfield, in proposing thai Mr P. G. Allen be elected a life-mem ber, said that Mr Allen had worked hard hard for the club. His remarks were endorsed by Mr 11. Morton, who seconded the motion, which was car ried with applause.