PHAR LAP'S BRILLIANCE

Hokitika Guardian, 5 September 1931, Page 6

PHAR LAP'S BRILLIANCE

Seldom has a WiHiamstown'race crowd given a horse such a reception as that\Aich Phar Lap received when he returned to scale after winning the Underwood .Stakes on August 25th. When Phar Lap’s part-owner and trainer, H. R. Telford, announced a few' days previously that the horse would take his place in the Underwood Stakes field many people considered that Telford was unwise. It was contended that as Telford had not been able to give the champion •enough work, it was asking rather much of him to expect him to defeat Waterline, who at first appearance since the autumn showed brilliance in winning the Moon da h Plate at Caulfield. It was recalled that Waterin'' defeated Fli"." Lap in ,the O.M. ‘Lloyd Stakes at Flemington in the autumn, but many persons overlooked the fact that on that occasion Waterline received 21b, whereas in the Underwood Stakes they met at level weights, 'those who saw Phar Lap' before the race had- no limita-tion-;in confirming the report 'that he was jbutch above himselU in c'ondit on. To|dsh a racing term he was “as big as Vlbullock.” Waterline was reported to be slightly lame, but an • examination by a veterinary surgeon did. hot disclose lameness. It ’is possible, ‘ hmy.ever. that he was suffering from rheunfaUsm. or some similar complaint. • Although-, he was burlyu Phar Lap looked very fit after his long absence from the racetrack, and he was full of iTe as he ambled to the barrier. A remarkable feature of the race was the betting. There was little between Phar " Lap Waterline, and Wise Force in the quotations. ' Others in the field were iGlare, Mulcfa, and Rondalina, the last-named being a stable-mate of Ph"r Lap. The race needs little description. Wise Force was first away from the barrier, and he made the early .'running from Waterline and Rondalina, with Phar Lap nicely placed fourth. About five furlongs from home ’Elliot sent Phar Lap after the leaders. With great strides ,_ he ran up to W.'se. Force, and was first into the straight. That Was virtually the end of the race, for the champion went right away, and defeated ■Rondalina. who fin : shed well, with the greatest of ease.- Wise Force did not see out the mile as well, as his con--nexions expected, aitd Rondal ua was superior to'him at the weights. Waterline found the pace too hot. and although he finish:d a close fourth he was outclassed by Phar lap. W. ‘Eliot rode a nice race on the champion. ITe was told not to knock Phar Lap about unduly if he saw that his task was hopeless, and he gave him plenty of time to settle down. Phar Lap’s spring programme has not been announced, but it : s known that it is intended to take him to Sydney to contest the weight-for-age races at the A.J.C. carnival.