RIDING PHAR LAP

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 192, 7 April 1932, Page 6

RIDING PHAR LAP

JOCKEY - ELLIOTT GIVES HIS ACCOUNT OF THE RACE. "WOltLD'S GREATEST HORSE." SAN DIEGO (Cal.), Sat. " I have been told by brother jockeys who have won it, that the Melbourne Cup is the greatest thrill of a lifetime. "You can imagine the thrill I got in winning a race richer than the Melbourne Cup in a foreign country, opposed to strangers. Nevertheless, excited as I was, I schooled myself to remain cairn, for I realised that un- | less I d:d my part, the horse could not | satisfactorily do his," writes Elliott, Phar Lap's jockey, in a special interview. I "Owing to the confidence we had in the horse, I could not imagine he would be beaten, and consequently was not worried. I certainly did not pay any attention to the suggestion that Phar Lap might be interfered with, as I have never met nicer fellows than the American jockeys and officials, who have been absolutely charming to me all the time I have been in America. "They have been helpful in every way, telling me little wrinkles to help me overcome the strange conditions, and never speaking a harsh word.

"Phar Lap behaved well at the post, but was inclined to look round a little, and the starter, seeing the horse standing too still, allowed me to back him out and bring him up again. "He was one of the last away, and was slightly cut off by the other horses outside, but I had planned to take the horse outside and give him plenty of room, which I did, racing in the centre of the track for the first I two furlongs. Rounding the first turn, the horse was inclined to throw his head up, owing to dirt from the flying hoofs hitting him on the head; so I took him out very wide until reaching the back stretch, when I allowed him to race at top speed, and how he d'd gallop!

Standing Still! "One after another he cut down, and it seemed as if the rest of the field was standing still. When well in front at the half-mile I gradually eased him down to give him a breather. That is the reason why Reveille [ Boy got so close. When he did so I j simply asked Phar Lap for another effort, and away he went. "He seems just as good as he was in Australia, and gallops just as freely, and d;rt tracks do not seem to 'worry him in the least. "I confidently expect him to win all his races in America, particularly when he is thoroughly used to conditions on the larger tracks.

"It was great winning the Agua Caliente Handicap, but the race I would like to win would be the international match race, which will probably be held at Belmont Park, New York, against horses like Twenty Grand and Mate. "We think Phar Lap is the greatest horse in the world, and that win would settle the question for all time. "I would like to thank all wellwishers in Australia for cables and congratulations. If I have done anyIhing to advertise my native land 1 . am amply repaid. "The experience gained has b'een invaluable, and I am certain that I will be a better rider when I return t.o Australia."