UNBEATABLE PROPOSITION

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 969, 12 May 1930, Page 12

UNBEATABLE PROPOSITION

WHAT WEIGHT WILL HE GET IN MELBOURNE CUP? By his smashing victory in the A.J.C. Plate, Phar Lap may be said to have set the seal on his three-year-old achievements, comments a Melbourne writer. And they have been many and outstanding. So far as weigh t-for-age racing can do it, Phar Lap has fully vindicated liimself. Weight-for-age form can be and frequently is, more spectacular than convincing. Phar Lap has had some cheap races put in his way, but he was up against it in the A.J.C. Plato, and his triumph was just as complete as when he met inferior company. Only a few months ago we saw Nightmarch with 9.2 win a Melbourne Cup. Surely it was hardly then even guessed that in the autumn one of the lot that finished behind him would make him look very small in an encounter over a stayers’ course. Not Extended Nightmarch failed to extend Phar Lap. It is not that the older horse has deteriorated, but his younger rival has improved as a horse of his age should from spring to autumn. He now has more command over his |?reat sweeping stride. In the spring he was inclined to be extravagant in action, but he has smoothed off and now seems more sure of himself. The result is that lie represents an unbeatable proposition at weight-for-age over any distance from a mile. Greenline might beat him over a shorter course, but long odds would not be laid on the Greenstead flier even at six furlongs. Another Test Coming Phar Lap has 3 r et to face his great handicap test as Carbine and other giants of the turf did in their day. He has had his innings at weight-for-age on a scale that favours the three-year-olds, especially in the autumn. In the ordinary course of events Phar Lap will tackle the Cups and then the big chance of his life will come. Then it will be positively known whether he belongs to the Carbine class when it comes to meeting all ages under all sorts of weights. Meantime he has covered himself with glory. He will go into winter quarters the equine hero of the season and one of the most interesting horses in the world. Far Melbourne Cup? That 11. Telford, will set Phar Lap the task or winning the 1930 Melbourne Cup appears to be only a matter of the gelding’s remaining sound and the liandicapper treating him to a weight within reason. What would be a reasonable poundage for the champion is hard to say. Manfred, after a great career as a three-year-old, was allotted 9.5 for the Melbourne Cup of 1926, but that colt’s deeds were not so impressive as Phar Lap’s in spite of the fact that he won the A.J.C. Derby after he - had lost half a furlong at barrier rise. Perhaps Strephon is the nearest approach to Phar Dap ever seen, but that colt does not provide a guide as to the weight Phar Lap might get, for the reason that he was not nominated for the last Melbourne Cup, after having gone down to Statesman in 1928 on a somewhat restricted preparation. That Phar Lap will be a firm favourite if he gets in the race with 9.7 is practically assured, even though his success would mean the breaking of a record. No four-year-old has carried more to victory in a Melbourne Cup than Patron, who had 9.3 in 1894, although Windbag succeeded with 9.2 five years ago. RACING FIXTURES MAT 14, 15—Southland R.C. 15, 17 —Wanganui J.C. 16, 17— Marlborough R.C. 24—Ashburton County R.C. 24 Taumarunui R.C. 31, June 3, 4—Dunedin J.C. JUNE 3, 4—Otaki-Maori R.C. 3,5, 7—Auckland R.C. 14—Oamaru J.C. 19, 21—South Canterbury J.C. 20, 21—Hawke's Bay J.C. 25 Egmont-Wanganui Hunt. 27, 2S—Napier Park R.C. 25 Ashburton County R.C. JULY 9, 10, 12—Wellington R.C. 12—Oamaru J.C. 19—Waimate District Hunt. 17, 19—Gisborne R.C. 26 — South Canterbury Hunt. 31, August I—Manawatu R.C. Winter. Auckland District Aug. 23, 1930. —Pakuranga Hunt. Sep. 20. 22.—Avondale J.C. Oct. 4, 6. —Auckland R.C. Oct. 25, 27. —Waikato R.C. Nov. 6, B.—Whangarei R.C. Nov. 13, 15.—Dargaville R.C. Nov. 29, Dec. I.—Takapuna J.C. Dec. 13, 15.—Te Kuiti R.C. Dec. 26, 29, Jan. 1 and 2.—Auckland R.C. Jan. 10.—Waipapakauri R.C. Jan. 17.—Bay of Islands R.C. Jan. 22, 24.:—Thames J.C. Jan. 29, 31.—Takapuna J.C. Feb. 7.—Matamata R.C. i Feb. 14, 16.—Rotorua R.C. Feb. 28, March 2.—Te Aroha J.C. March 21.—Bay of Plenty J.C. March 26.—Opotiki J.C. April 4, 6.—Auckland R.C. April 11, 15.—Avondale J.C. April 24, 27.—Waikato R.C. May 2.—Whangarei R.C. .Tune 3. C, S.—Auckland R.C. Ohinemuri Jockey Club, Franklin Racing Club, Waipa Racing Club and Taumarunui Racing Clubs' dates not yet applied for. Waikato Hunt Club's date (Oct. 27) was referred back to the club