HIS LATEST SUCCESS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 978, 22 May 1930, Page 14

HIS LATEST SUCCESS

PHAR LAP’S FINE DIVIDEND Cheers greeted Pliar Lap as* he came out on the course for the Elder Stakes, but Fruition, liis only opponent, had a still warmer reception, the crowd apparently being appreciative of courage of her owner in sending the mare out to oppose the Australian champion at weight-for-age, says an Australian writer, commenting on the opening day’s racing at Adelaide. Fruition is a sister to Gunadorah, who won races when trained by R. Bradfield at Flemington. An even start was effected, and to the profouiM astonishment of onlookers, Fruition led off, assuming a lead of two lengths. Phar Lap drew level with her at seven furlongs, but did not show any disposition to pass her. Backers’ Alarm Knowing the temperament of Phar Lap, many people began to apprehend that he might not be in proper galloping trim. Up to three furlongs from home the son of Night Raid remained alongside his rival, but as they headed for the home turn he drew away in leisurely style, and won by five lengths. As the time, 1.52, was only half a second slower than the record for the race, there obviously could be nothing amiss with Phar Lap. The first furlong was covered in 132, two in 25, and three in 37, four in 494, and the last five furlongs in 1.1. After the race, Harry Telford smiled with satisfaction over Phar Lap’s performance. He remarked that Phar Lap always went kindly for W. Elliott, who had told him in Sydney that he could have ridden there at any pace. Phar Lap was at an astonishing price on the totalisator. There was only £3lB invested, but the dividend paid by the New Zealand-bred gelding represented about four times as much in shillings above the capital invested as one used to expect from Gloaming. Indeed, it was the same price that Gloaming returned when he defeated The Hawk in their memorable match at Hastings a few years ago. It now remains to be seen if Phar Lap paid as big a dividend when he won the King’s Cup last Saturday. NOVEL WAGERING Adelaide, where, officially, bookmakers do not exist, has put up a record in the matter of double betting. When books were opened on the Goodwood and Adelaide Cup, Phar Lap was considered such a certainty for the long race that business could be done only by giving a guarantee that if he started horses that finished second, third or fourth would be deemed to have run first, second and third respectively. However, Phar Lap did not run. Has there ever been a more novel situation in connection with any Australian race?