Phar Lap Page #9

Well, it's healing.

Faster than I expected

but not fast enough for him to run.

He's gotta run.

If he wins here, I've got offers

for him from all over the States.

Bill, what about we try fitting bar shoes?

To support him across here

and take pressure off the split.

Well, has he worn them before?

- No.

- No, he hasn't.

Well, what do you think?

Well, it's worth a try.

But you won't be able

to give him anything

but light track work

right up to the race.

That's alright.

That alright, huh?

We're going into

the richest race in history

with a horse that's half-fit and lame.

That's wonderful.

Jimmy, what the hell

is happening with Phar Lap?

Baron, there's no problem.

There better not be. The whole

of the US is talking about the horse.

Did you see Walter Winchell's

column yesterday? Fantastic!

We're gonna have

our biggest crowd ever.

What the hell is he doing here?

A lot of money went on

to Reveille Boy yesterday.

Yeah, I bet a lot more went into

the pockets of certain jockeys too.

Is Phar Lap well guarded?

Oh, yeah. I got Frank and

the boys with him round the clock.

Problem is, by the time

Bert gets his story through,

we're not gonna have time

to get it on the streets.

What are we gonna do, then?

We have two versions ready to go.

If he wins, "Australian

wonder horse beats the world."

And if he loses?

"New Zealand horse fails in Mexico."

Harry... there's something

wrong with these figures.

There's 2,000 missing somewhere.

Yeah, I had a bet.

On Phar Lap?

No, on one of my colts

on Saturday. He lost.

Harry, you never bet.

I did and he lost.

2,000?

Harry, if you're going to start

gambling our money away,

I'd like to be told.

We're in worse debt now than

we've ever been, do you realise that?

Phar Lap will win.

What if he doesn't?

He'll win at Caliente.

And he'll win everywhere

else he races.

For years, I've kidded myself

that I made that horse.

Truth is, he would've been a

champion no matter who trained him.

I've got 20 colts out there with

bloodlines as good

or better than his

and I've trained them

all exactly the same.

Every one's a dud.

He's a freak.

Dave?

Dave, if your horse wins today,

get him out of here quickly

and have him guarded from here on in.

What are you talking about?

It's just that...

the big syndicates here

have racing pretty well organised.

Now, the last thing they want is

a horse coming in from the outside

who wins everything

and can't be bought.

I'll start worrying

about that if he wins.

But first, he's gotta win.

Yeah.

Just... keep him clear

of the pack, that's all.

Oh, there's a rumour going around

that some of the jockeys

have been paid

to keep him boxed in on the rails.

Look, Dave, if something's

good, that's OK.

But if something's too good,

it upsets the whole system.

Be careful, eh?

Ladies and gentlemen,

for your information,

the horses for the 13th

race on the program

are now in the walking ring.

Now, listen to me closely.

I want you to take him

out to the front of the bunch

right from the start - they're gonna

try to box you in on the rails...

He can't start fast, it'll put

too much strain on the hoof!

I said, he starts fast

and that is an order!

Alright, now don't forget, Billy.

You take him out front,

you take him out fast.

Dave?

Not now, not now, sir, please. Do

me a favour. I'll talk to you later.

Billy, hold him back at the start.

Take him out wide and

go right 'round the outside.

Who's giving the orders

round here, you or Davis?

Me. Hold him back and take him wide.

I'll have to cover a hell

of a lot of extra ground.

Billy, do what you're told.

You'll get there.

What if the hoof goes?

Pull him up straightaway.

Ladies and gentlemen,

the race you've all been waiting for,

the Agua Caliente Handicap,

is next on the program.

Alright, me old mate.

Get out there and show 'em.

The horses have

reached the post.

They're ready to start

the Agua Caliente Handicap.

Good And Hot from the inside,

with jockey Morgan,

then Scimitar, Spanish Play,

Reveille Boy is in post four,

Bahamas with jockey John Longden

starting from post

position number five

and the second choice this afternoon.

Joe Flores is next,

then comes Dr. Freeland.

Phar Lap is in post

position number eight

followed by Marine

and Cabezo is on the outside.

We're ready at the start

of the Agua Caliente Handicap.

Marshall Cassidy ready to send this

fine field of gentlemen on their way

for a distance of 1.25 miles.

Get ready, gentlemen.

And go!

And they're off.

Phar Lap on the outside off

slowly, that's Phar Lap last.

And on the front end, there goes Joe

Flores, charging up to take the lead

as Johnny Longden moves Bahamas

on the outside into second spot.

Far back, Phar Lap is the trailer.

Off slowly, pushing Phar Lap.

I'll kill you, Woodcock!

So help me God, I'll kill you!

Joe Flores showing

the way by half a length.

Bahamas is in second spot...

Hold him, Billy.

Cabezo is next,

with Reveille Boy between horses.

Marine follows and after

that it's Dr. Freeland,

Scimitar, Spanish Play

and Phar Lap is the trailer.

It looks like the Australian champion

is not gonna run his race today.

As the field moves

to the clubhouse turn,

Joe Flores on the inside...

Alright, not yet.

On the outside,

Bahamas and Johnny Longden

charging up to challenge early...

Now!

Now Reveille Boy

finds room between horses for it.

Cabezo is next, after that...

Right round 'em, Bob. That's it.

Scimitar, Spanish Play

and Phar Lap on the outside

begins to close round.

There goes Phar Lap

charging up on the outside.

Bahamas on the inside

now takes the lead...

That's my Bobby boy!

Phar Lap on the outside is flying!

There goes Phar Lap!

Phar Lap charging up

quickly on the outside,

Joe Flores is third,

Reveille fourth...

It's Phar Lap taking the lead!

I've never seen a horse

move so fast in two furlongs!

On the inside,

it's Joe Flores and Bahamas.

Second spot, it's Reveille Boy

moving between horses.

It's Phar Lap showing the way

by a length and a quarter...

Whoa, that's the champion.

It appears that he's faltering,

jockey pulling up.

- He's having trouble.

- Watch behind ya!

As Phar Lap is pulling up,

Reveille Boy charges up on

the outside now to take the lead.

On the inside, it's Phar Lap,

on the outside, Reveille Boy...

Now take him home! Take him home!

Reveille Boy on

the outside, two horse race!

Phar Lap on the inside,

Reveille Boy on the outside

and they're coming to the line,

Phar Lap holds the lead...

It's Phar Lap, the winner!

Mr. Telford?

Mr. Telford, can you have a few

words with me about the tragedy?

Leave me alone.

Well, why is it, do you think,

that there's been this incredible

reaction to Phar Lap's death?

After all, he was just a horse.

He wasn't JUST a horse!

He was the best.

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